[INTRODUCTORY ITEMS] [00:00:03] - GOOD MORNING. [CALL TO ORDER] I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO ORDER THE MARCH 10TH, 2026 MEETING OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. WILL THE CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? - CERTAINLY. SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS? - HERE. - HERNANDEZ? - HERE. - KOENIG? - HERE. - DE SERPA? - PRESENT. - AND MARTINEZ? - HERE. FOR THOSE WHO FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE SPEAKING IN SPANISH, LET US KNOW AND SOMEONE WILL TRANSLATE YOUR COMMENT, UM, INTO ENGLISH. AND FOR THOSE WHO REQUIRE TRANSLATION THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MEETING, WE ASK THAT YOU MAKE THOSE ARRANGEMENTS IN ADVANCE BY VISITING OUR, OUR OFFICE, UM, THE CLERK OF THE BOARD'S OFFICE IN PERSON OR SENDING AN EMAIL TO COBSTAFF@SANTACRUZCOUNTYCA.GOV OR BY CALLING OUR OFFICE AT 831-454-2323. SO NOW WE WILL HAVE OUR MOMENT OF SILENCE. [MOMENT OF SILENCE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANYBODY THEY'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DURING TODAY'S MOMENT OF SILENCE? SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - THANK YOU, CHAIR. UH, I'D LIKE TO DEDICATE THE MOMENT OF SILENCE TO HARVEY JOHN NICHOLSON, FATHER, HUSBAND, BROTHER, SON, GRANDFATHER, BANKER, AND COMMUNITY LEADER. UH, HARVEY HELPED TO FOUND COAST COMMERCIAL BANK AND WHEN THE 1989 LOMA PRIETA EARTHQUAKE DEVASTATED SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, COAST COMMERCIAL BANK WAS THE ONLY BANK ACTIVELY LENDING TO HELP REBUILD THE COMMUNITY. HARVEY URGED EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS ALIKE TO SUPPORT THEIR NEIGHBORS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES BY SHOPPING LOCALLY RATHER THAN TAKING THEIR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE. AND HE PROVIDED STEADY, CONFIDENT LEADERSHIP DURING A TIME OF UNCERTAINTY, REMAINING- UNWAVERING IN HIS COMMITMENT TO THE VITALITY OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. UH, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE, ONE WILL BE HELD AT THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK SUNROOM, MARCH 17TH, 11:00 AM TO 1:00 PM. PLEASE WEAR SOMETHING THAT REMINDS YOU OF HARVEY OR GREEN FOR ST. PATRICK'S DAY. THANKS. - THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. - THANK YOU. UM, FOUND OUT, UH, JUST LAST NIGHT THAT FORMER COUNTY SOCIAL WORKER FROM CHILD WELFARE, CAROLYN SPRAGUE, UM, HAS PASSED AWAY, AND SHE ALSO WORKED FOR THE FAMILY COURT, UH, AS A MEDIATOR AND, UM, UH, JUST WANTED TO SEND OUR THOUGHTS TO HER FAMILY AND TO ALL, EVERYBODY AT CHILD WELFARE WHO WORKED WITH HER AND KNEW HER. SHE WAS, UM, A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT, I THINK FOR OVER 30 YEARS. UH, AND HER DEATH WAS UNEXPECTED AND SO WE THANK HER FOR HER SERVICE. - THANK YOU. - SORRY, I HAVE ONE MORE. CAN I SAY ONE MORE THING? - OH, ONE MORE. GO AHEAD. - LAST NIGHT THERE WAS A FIRE, I DON'T KNOW IF EVERYBODY HAS HEARD THE NEWS YET, BUT IT WAS IN CAPITOLA AND THERE WAS ONE... SO, UM, OUR HEART'S GO OUT TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THAT. AND, UM, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF BUSINESSES THAT WERE AFFECTED AND I'VE TALKED TO, UH, ANTHONY TODAY WHO OWNS MIJOS RESTAURANT ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED. AND, UM, WE WISH, UH, EVERYBODY WELL. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. WILL YOU PLEASE JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE. THANK YOU. PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. - I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. [CONSIDERATION OF LATE ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA; ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO CONSENT AND REGULAR AGENDAS] - THANK YOU. WE'RE NOW ONTO ITEM NUMBER THREE, CONSIDERATION OF LATE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS. CEO COBURN, ARE THERE ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA? - CHAIR, THERE ARE NONE. - THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO NOW WE'RE ONTO ITEM NUMBER FOUR, [ANNOUNCEMENT BY BOARD MEMBERS OF ITEMS REMOVED FROM CONSENT TO REGULAR AGENDA] REMOVAL OF ITEMS FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. AND WE ARE GETTING SOME MOOD LIGHTING IN THE ROOM. - [LAUGHING] - THANK YOU. UM, DO ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WISH TO PULL ANYTHING FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? I'D LIKE TO PULL ITEM NUMBER 25. AND SINCE WE HAVE A SCHEDULED ITEM IN THE AFTERNOON, I'D LIKE TO TRY TO PUT IT ON AS ITEM NUMBER 9.1. SO GET IT, UM, DONE AT THE END OF OUR MORNING BUSINESS. AND WITH THAT, WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE, WHICH IS PUBLIC COMMENT. I'D NOW LIKE TO INVITE PUBLIC COMMENT, [PUBLIC COMMENT] UM, ON ANY ITEM ON THE CONSENT OR CLOSED AGENDA OR ANY SUBJECT MATTER THAT'S WITHIN JURISDICTION OF THE BOARD. IF YOU WISH TO SPEAK ON ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE REGULAR AGENDA, I'M GONNA ASK THAT YOU SPEAK ON THOSE ITEMS WHEN THE ITEM IS HEARD. SO, FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU ARE HERE FOR THE ITEM RELATED TO SHIELD, THAT WOULD BE AN ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. UM, IF YOU INTEND TO SPEAK THIS MORNING, [00:05:02] CAN YOU PLEASE FORM A LINE IN FRONT OF US SO WE CAN SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HERE? IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A LITTLE MORE THAN A HANDFUL OF YOU. AND, UM, MADAM CLERK, HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE RAISING THEIR HANDS ON VIRTUAL? - CURRENTLY, WE HAVE THREE PEOPLE WITH THEIR HANDS RAISED ONLINE. - GREAT. SO, THAT BEING THE CASE, I'D LIKE TO SET THE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR TWO MINUTES EACH. AND YOU'RE WELCOME TO BEGIN. GOOD MORNING. - GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING. UM, MY NAME IS CAROL BJORN. UM, HAVE YOU HEARD ABOUT THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ON GLYPHOSATE PRODUCTION SIGNED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP? IT DIRECTS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO PRIORITIZE DOMESTIC PRODUCTION OF GLYPHOSATE AND ELEMENTAL PHOSPHORUS UNDER NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SUPPLY CHAIN AUTHORITIES. THE STATED RATIONALE IS FOOD SECURITY AND NATIONAL RESILIENCE. HOWEVER, I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THE BIGGEST THREAT TO OUR FOOD SUPPLY RIGHT NOW IS NOT THE LACK OF GLYPHOSATE, IT'S THE LACK OF FARMLAND. UM, ACCORDING TO A 2016 TO 2018, CALIFORNIA FARMLAND MAPPING AND MONITORING REPORT, 74,641 ACRES OF FARMLAND WERE LOST, AND OF THAT 17,000 WERE CONVERTED TO SOLAR. AND HOW DOES THAT APPLY TO US TODAY? UM, IT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE CURRENT PROPOSED BESS ORDINANCE, UM, THAT'S GONNA BE TAKING SOME BEAUTIFUL FARMLAND OUT OF PRODUCTION AND CONVERTING IT INTO AN INDUSTRIAL USE. I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT THE, THE, THE CURRENT BESS ORDINANCE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH MEASURE J. LUCKILY, WE HAVE MEASURE J, UM, WHICH, WHICH PRESERVES AND PROTECTS OUR FARMLAND, AND THE CURRENT ORDINANCE DOES NOT COMPLY WITH-WITH THAT. WE'RE GONNA BE FACING SOME HUGE FOOD SHORTAGES IF WE DON'T ACT AND PROTECT THAT FARMLAND. UM, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY HAS ESTIMATED THAT THERE'S 10 MILLION ACRES ALREADY IN SOLAR PRODUCTION, AND MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY IS GOING INTO EITHER SOLAR PRODUCTION OR THESE BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE FACILITIES. I SUBMIT TO YOU THAT AN APPLE IS MUCH MORE VALUABLE THAN YOUR ENERGY ON YOUR CELL PHONE, OR YOUR COMPUTER WHEN YOU'RE HUNGRY. SO WE NEED TO BE PRESERVING THIS FARMLAND. WE NEED TO CHANGE THE CURRENT ORDINANCE TODAY SO THAT WE PRESERVE THAT BEAUTIFUL FARMLAND. THEY SAY THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE, UM, IF YOU HAVEN'T PLANTED A TREE A HUNDRED YEARS AGO, THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE IS TODAY. I WOULD SUBMIT TO YOU THAT CUTTING DOWN PRODUCTIVE HEALTHY TREES IS TERRIBLE. THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING, SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS LENG WONG AND I'M THE HEALTH EQUITY OFFICER WITH THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION IN THE HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY. I'M ALSO A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER, AND I'M JOINED BY MY HSA AND HSD COLLEAGUES, JORGE DUQUE, BRENDA CAMPBELL, ROBERT ANNAN, WHITNEY BARNES. UM, THIS MORNING WE WANNA THANK YOU FOR PROCLAIMING MARCH AS SOCIAL WORKER APPRECIATION MONTH. WE ALSO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APPRECIATE THE MISSION-DRIVEN WORK THAT ALL OF THE SOCIAL WORKERS IN THE COUNTY DO EVERY DAY. SOCIAL WORKERS WORK EVERY DAY, NOT ONLY TO SUPPORT AND WALK BESIDE THE INDIVIDUAL THEY SERVE BUT TO ALSO ACTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR MORE FAIR AND JUST SYSTEMS TO CREATE HEALTHIER COMMUNITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL, REGARDLESS OF A PERSON'S IDENTITY. ON THE DAY-TO-DAY, SOCIAL WORKERS HOLD THE CARE, PAIN, AND GRIEF OF THE PEOPLE WE SERVE. WE MIGHT SIT WITH A FAMILY WHO EXPERIENCED THE DEATH OF A CHILD. WE MIGHT HELP A CLIENT START TO REBUILD THEIR LIFE AND BEGIN AGAIN AFTER INCARCERATION. WE MIGHT BE THE FIRST TO HEAR A CLIENT'S DISAPPOINTMENT IN THEIR VOICE AFTER RELAPSE. THIS WORK IS HARD, BUT WE ALSO GET TO BEAR WITNESS TO CHANGE AND JOY. WE HEAR THE JOY IN YOUNG PEOPLE WHEN THEY TELL US THEY KILLED IT IN THEIR BAND'S PERFORMANCE AT A TALENT SHOW. WE GET TO WITNESS THE LOVES- THE LOVE WHEN FAMILIES ARE REUNIFIED AFTER CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM INVOLVEMENT. WE GET TO JUMP FOR JOY WITH OUR CLIENTS WHEN THEY ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS AND WE SEE THE HEALING BEAMING FROM THEIR EYES. WE OFTEN GET THE HONOR TO BEAR WITNESS TO LIFE'S REAL MIRACLES. THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THE SOCIAL WORKERS, THE MIRACLE WORKERS IN THE COUNTY THAT CONTINUE TO HELP HEAL OUR COMMUNITIES AND CREATE MORE FAIR AND JUST SYSTEMS. YOU CHANGE LIVES. THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR APPRECIATING OUR CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COUNTY. - THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING. MY NAME'S KEN REICHMAN. I'M WITH INDIVISIBLE SANTA CLARA- SANTA CRUZ COUNTIES UH, IMMIGRATION TEAM. UH, WE'RE FOCUSING RIGHT NOW ON, UH, ISSUES SURROUNDING ARRESTS, [00:10:03] DETENTION AND DEPORTATION OF IMMIGRANTS. AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS TODAY IS TO, UH, RECEIVE HELP FROM THE BOARD OR FROM SHIELD TO CLARIFY A STATEMENT THAT SHERIFF CLARK MADE IN A RECENT, UH, PRESS, UH, BRIEFING WITH JIMMY PANETTA. UM, AND I SAY THIS IN ALL RESPECT FOR THE SHERIFF. I THINK HE'S DOING A GOOD JOB FOR MY LIMITED, UH, EXPERIENCE. IN THIS, UH, PRESS BRIEFING, UH, ITS FOCUS WAS TO REASSURE THE COMMUNITY OF ASSISTANCE, UH, WHEN ICE COMES. AND THE SHERIFF SAID, "WE AT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVE A DUTY TO INTERCEDE. IF WE ARE PRESENT, WE SEE THINGS LIKE EXCESSIVE USE OF FORCE OR BLATANT VIOLATIONS OF THE LAW, WE HAVE A DUTY TO INTERCEDE. THAT GOES THE SAME WITH THE FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT." NOW THIS IS A BOLD STATEMENT. ONLY A FEW POLICE CHIEFS ACROSS THE NATION HAVE MADE THIS STATEMENT. MY CONCERN IS THAT, UH, IT MAY BE CONFUSING. IT MAY GIVE PEOPLE A SENSE OF FALSE SECURITY IN THAT PART OF THE PROCESS IF THE SHERIFF WILL NOT BE PRESENT WHEN ICE, UH, IS AROUND. THEREFORE, THEY WON'T BE THERE TO SEE ANY INFRACTIONS AND THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO INTERCEDE AND HELP US. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING. UH, GLORIA CARROLL, CHILD WELFARE DIRECTOR. I JUST CAME IN TO THANK THE BOARD FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF SOCIAL WORK APPRECIATION MONTH. THE WORK THAT CHILD WELFARE DOES IN SOCIAL WORK IS CHALLENGING. IT'S CHALLENGING NOT JUST AT THE COUNTY LEVEL, BUT HAVING BEEN THERE AT THE STATE LEVEL AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL. AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO AND ALSO THE PARTNERSHIPS, THAT YOU ALL ARE SUPPORTIVE, INCLUDING FOR OUR SIP, FOR OUR SYMPOSIUM WE JUST DID WITH UNITED WAY AND FOR THE MYRIAD OF OTHER PROJECTS. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR SOCIAL WORK APPRECIATION MONTH. - GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MARTINEZ AND SUPERVISORS. I'M JEFFREY ARNOLD, THE SECRETARY OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD. THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD HAS TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEM U AND ITEM V. BOTH ARE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN. ITEM U RECOMMENDS TWO PRIORITIES BE INCLUDED IN THE 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN. ONE IS THE DOUBLING IN COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE TREATMENT CAPACITY WITHIN THE NEXT THREE YEARS. UH, RIGHT NOW, HSA DEPARTMENT IS, UH, SPENDING 23 MILLION FOR OUT OF COUNTY TRANSFERS OR OUTSIDE HOSPITAL EXPENSES. DUE TO MEDICAID RULES, THESE TRANSFERS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THE 50% MATCH WE RECEIVE FOR IN-COUNTY TREATMENT, RESULTING IN UNREIMBURSED COSTS OF ABOUT 11 MILLION EACH YEAR. THE LACK OF CAPACITY IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR TREATMENT HAS LARGELY LED TO OUR JAIL BECOMING THE DEFAULT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, WHICH IT WAS NEVER DESIGNED FOR. UM, THE SECOND PRIORITY IS THE REDUCING BY 50% THE TIME IN BOTH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND IN CUSTODY FOR THOSE NOT SENTENCED WITH- AND TO DO THAT WITHIN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. EVIDENCE FROM OTHER COUNTIES INDICATES THAT NET SAVINGS TYPICALLY GROW IN YEARS TWO AND THREE IN THIS TYPE OF APPROACH AS BOTH JAIL AND MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM COSTS DECLINE WITH IMPROVED STABILIZATION. ITEM V RECOMMENDS THE COUNTY INCREASE ITS GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTIONS TO BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION FROM APPROXIMATELY 1.2% TO A MINIMUM OF 2%, OVER A THREE YEAR PERIOD AS PART OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY 2032 STRATEGIC PLAN. THIS MEASURED INCREASE IS NECESSARY TO ADDRESS DOCUMENTED UNDERFUNDING. - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - HELLO, I'M UH, DEAN COSINO. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE, UH, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ADVISORY BOARD. I WANNA SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU HAVE. UM, IN YOUR PACKET, UM, AS, UH, MR. ARNOLD SAID, THAT WE DO- WE HAVE A VERY HIGH COST OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE IN THIS COUNTY, PARTLY BECAUSE WE- THE STATE POINTS OUT, WE HAVE THREE TIMES THE STATE AVERAGE THE NUMBER OF HIGH COST BENEFICIARIES. THESE ARE PATIENTS WHO REQUIRE MORE THAN $30,000 PER YEAR FOR THEIR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. THIS IS PARTLY DUE TO THE, UH, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SUPPORT SYSTEMS [00:15:02] AND STEP DOWN FACILITIES TO PROVIDE CARE FOR THESE PEOPLE. THEY TEND TO RELAPSE. WHEN THEY RELAPSE, THOSE EXACERBATIONS REQUIRE MORE TREAT CARE- TREATMENT CARE. AND IF THEY REQUIRE HOSPITALIZATIONS, SINCE WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TREAT ALL OF THEM IN COUNTY, WE HAVE TO SEND PEOPLE OUT OF COUNTY, WHERE WE DON'T GET THE STATE MATCH, YET PAY FOR THEIR CARE. UM, ALSO AS, UH, AS POINTED OUT, THIS PUT A STRESS ON OUR COUNTY JAILS. AND IF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WAS, UH, BETTER CONTROLLED, I THINK THE STRESS ON THE JAIL SYSTEM WILL GO DOWN. I, I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR- WITH THE WORK YOU DO. 'CAUSE IT'S A TOUGH JOB PROVIDING SERVICES TO OUR COUNTY WITH A RESTRICTED BUDGET. BUT I THINK DOLLARS SPENT ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ARE WELL SPENT. SO, THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BECKY STEINBRUNNER. I LIVE IN RURAL APTOS. I WANNA, JUST, UH, FOLLOW UP ON WHAT THE GENTLEMAN JUST SAID ABOUT THE NUMBER OF HIGH COST BENEFICIARIES IN THIS COUNTY. THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CIVIL GRAND JURY DID A VERY GOOD INVESTIGATION AND REPORT ON THAT LAST YEAR, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ IT. AND THANK YOU FOR PROCLAIMING THIS MONTH AS CIVIL GRAND JURY AWARENESS MONTH. PEOPLE NEED TO SIGN UP BECAUSE YOU CAN REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE. UM, I WANNA SAY THAT NOW, ITEM NUMBER 24, THE RING ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS NO FIRE PEOPLE ON IT, AND I'M AWARE THAT YOUR BOARD HAS RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE FIRE AGENCIES, UH, SIGNED BY CHIEFS AND BOARD OF, UH, DIRECTORS. YOU NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS, AND, UM, I HOPE THAT YOU WILL NOT APPROVE IT AS IT IS BECAUSE AS IT IS, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE WILL HAVE NOBODY FROM FIRE. THEY'LL HAVE NOBODY FROM RADIO THAT UNDERSTANDS RADIO. IT DOES NOT UNDERSTAND RADIO. SO, PLEASE, UH, PULL THIS OFF AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT. AND IF YOU WANNA FUND THIS, YOU NEED TO REALLOCATE PROP 172 MONEY TO DO IT INDEFINITELY IF YOU'RE GONNA DO THIS BECAUSE FIRE AGENCIES CANNOT AFFORD IT. UM, I WANNA SAY THAT MEASURE J, UM, IS INTACT. WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THIS IN OUR COUNTY TO PRESERVE OUR AGRICULTURAL FARMLAND. AS MS. BJORN SAID, UH, THE- AS WRITTEN, THE COUNTY'S BESS ORDINANCE VIOLATES MEASURE J BECAUSE IT WOULD ALLOW, UH, CHANGING USE OF AGRICULTURAL LAND FOR A-A LARGE INDUSTRIAL BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE PLANT. AND THAT IS NOT ALLOWED UNDER MEASURE J. SO PLEASE, TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND DO NOT ALLOW THAT PROVISION. AND, UM, I WANNA SAY THAT I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THE MARCH 24TH MEETING THAT WAS TO BE HELD IN WATSONVILLE WAS RESCHEDULED TO BE HERE. I REQUEST THAT ONE MONTH- ONCE A MONTH, THERE IS A MEETING IN WATSONVILLE FOR YOUR BOARD. THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING. I'M JUDY ROSALA MEYERS, AND, UH, I LIVE IN DISTRICT 1 AND I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT I ACTUALLY SERVED ON THE SANTA CRUZ CIVIL GRAND JURY FOR A WHOLE YEAR, 98-99, AND I LEARNED SO MUCH ABOUT HOW THINGS ACTUALLY WORK HERE. AND I WANNA THANK ALL THE SUPERVISORS IN THE PAST AND NOW WHO HAVE PROTECTED THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND OUR ENVIRONMENT FROM THE PESTICIDES AND ALL OF THAT HAVE THREATENED, UM, OUR WELLBEING AND HEALTHY LIVING CONDITIONS HERE IN SANTA CRUZ. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY ONCE AGAIN, AND THE THING THAT TRIGGERED THIS FOR ME TO COME DOWN HERE TODAY WAS I WATCHED A PBS SPECIAL ON, UM, RACHEL CARSON WHO WROTE THE SILENT SPRING. SHE WAS A HUGE ADVOCATE OF THE EFFECTS OF TOXINS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT AND THE LONG RANGE EFFECTS. AND I'VE COME HERE MANY TIMES TO SPEAK ABOUT THE UNKNOWN EFFECTS OF, UH, WHEN THINGS GO WRONG WITH THE BESS BATTERIES. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW IT'S GONNA AFFECT US IN THE LONG RUN. AND I HAVE A HUSBAND WHO WAS IN VIETNAM EXPOSED TO AGENT ORANGE AND THOSE EFFECTS DID NOT SHOW UP FOR ALMOST 50 YEARS. SO I WANT YOU TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN YOUR DECISIONS IN THE FUTURE ABOUT WHAT YOU'RE EXPOSING OUR ENVIRONMENT TO. I CAME HERE FROM LA COUNTY BECAUSE THIS WAS LESS TOXIC. SO PLEASE, PLEASE TRY AND KEEP IT THAT WAY AND HELP PROTECT MEASURE J IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING. [00:20:01] BUENOS DIAZ, UH, CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY, SUPERVISORS AND STAFF. I COME BEFORE YOU TO, UM, A LETTER WAS SENT TO YOU IN REGARDS TO, UM, A RECOMMENDATION, UH, TO ENCOURAGE THE GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION, AND THIS IS TO THE, UM, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO INCREASE TO A 2% IN A, FOR A THREE YEAR SPAN. I'M JUST GONNA GIVE YOU VERY BRIEFLY, UM, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE 2027 TO 28 TO INCREASE THE GENERAL FUND ALLOCATION FROM, UH, APPROXIMATELY 1.5 MILLION WHICH INCLUDES 1.4% FOR YEAR 2028-29, 1.9 MILLION, WHICH IS AN INCREASE AT 1.65% IN THE GENERAL FUND. AND THEN IN THE THIRD YEAR IT'S 2029-30 TO INCREASE THE FINAL $2.56 MILLION, WHICH IS TWO POINT PERCENT, WHICH IS A TOTAL INVESTMENT FOR THE BEHAVIORAL DIVISION, A $6 MILLION. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE BEHAVIORAL, UM, DIVISION TO HAVE THAT ALLOCATION FROM THE GENERAL FUND. SO, WITH THAT IN MIND, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU SUPPORT OUR ADVISORY BOARD RECOMMENDATION TO YOU, UH, FOR THE MEMBERS THAT YOU APPOINTED TO US. UH, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT. AND I THANK YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR BEHAVIORAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, UM, SERVICES. THAT RECOMMENDATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BENEFIT NOT ONLY TO, YOU KNOW, THE CHILDREN, THE YOUTH, ESPECIALLY THE ELDERLY POPULATION IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. SO I THINK THE COMMUNITY WILL APPRECIATE THAT INCREASE TO OUR RESIDENTS OF THE- OF THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ. AND I THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING, UH, BOARD CHAIR AND MEMBERS. UH, TRICIA WEBER, YOUR COUNTY CLERK AND REGISTRAR OF VOTERS. AND I WANTED TO, UM, CONGRATULATE MY STAFF, UM, FOR PUTTING TOGETHER, UM, AND WORKING WITH OUR PARTNERS WITH THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, THE UNITED WAY AND CABRILLO COLLEGE, FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE 27TH OF FEBRUARY'S YOUTH CIVIC SUMMIT WHERE WE SAW AROUND 200 HIGH SCHOOL JUNIORS AND SENIORS COME AND JOIN US FOR A FULL DAY OF CIVIC EDUCATION. UM, THEY LEARNED TO IDENTIFY TRUSTED SOURCES. THEY MET WITH LOCAL OFFICIALS, UM, TO UNDERSTAND THE BILL OF RIGHTS FOR THE YOUTH. THERE WAS A MOCK ELECTION WHERE THEY VOTED ON THREE MEASURES THAT WERE, UM, YOU KNOW, GEARED TOWARDS THEM, RIGHT? SHOULD 16 AND 17-YEAR-OLDS BE ALLOWED TO VOTE? WHAT- SHOULD WE HAVE SCHOOL POLICIES ABOUT KEEPING CELL PHONES OUT? WHAT ABOUT REDISTRICTING AND HOW TO, UM, EQUALIZE POPULATION? IS IT JUST BE AT THE CENSUS OR SHOULD IT BE AN ONGOING THING? IT WAS A VERY INTERESTING, UH, DAY. LEARNED A LOT. AND, UM, WE DID A CALL TO ACTION AT THE END WHERE WE DID GET QUITE A FEW STUDENTS SAYING THEY WANTED TO BE POLL WORKERS. WE HAD QUITE A FEW SAYING THEY WANTED TO BE DEPUTY REGISTRARS AND HOLD, UM, REGISTRATION DRIVES AND OTHER CIVIC EDUCATION ON THEIR CAMPUSES. AND WE DID GET A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO SAID THEY WANTED TO COME AND VOLUNTEER, UM, WHICH IS WONDERFUL, BECAUSE WE TRULY BELIEVE IN OUR OFFICE THAT IF YOU UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS, YOU'RE MORE APT TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS. AND TO THAT END, AS WE CONTINUE TO MOVE INTO THE JUNE ELECTION SEASON, UM, WE WILL BE HAVING A FAMILY DEMOCRACY DAY ON THE 9TH OF MAY, WHERE WE WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, UM, AGES 0 TO 1,000, UM, TO HELP UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND BE A PART OF IT AT THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. UH, THE SAN LORENZO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, UH, SIMKINS SWIM CENTER AND STARLIGHT ELEMENTARY FROM 10 TO 2. MORE INFORMATION ON MY WEBSITE AND WE'RE REALLY EXCITED. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - TRICIA, WOULD YOU MIND PUTTING THE MICROPHONE DOWN RIGHT THERE? FOR THE NEXT SPEAKER? SURE, THAT'D BE GREAT. THAT'D BE OKAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. - YOU'D RATHER HAVE IT. - YEAH, I'D RATHER. - YOU'D RATHER HAVE THIS. - SO THAT'S WHY IT WAS MOVING IN. - THAT'S GOOD. THANK YOU. HI, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE OHOM, AND I CAME TO TELL YOU TODAY THAT THE... UM, DO I NEED TO? - YEAH. - OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. UM, I CAME TO TELL YOU TODAY THAT THE SENIOR COUNCIL DOES NOT REPRESENT OR ADVOCATE FOR THE DISABLED. THIS MEANS THAT THE MASTER PLAN ON AGING DOES NOT INCLUDE THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE DISABLED. WHEN I SAID THIS TO CEO CLAY, HE EQUIPPED, [00:25:02] "WELL, STEPHANIE, IT IS CALLED THE MASTER PLAN ON AGING." AND I RESPONDED, "WELL, I GUESS THEN I NEED TO CREATE A DISABILITY COUNCIL." SO, UM, I WANTED TO, UM, EXPLAIN THE REASON WHY WE NEED A DISABILITY COUNCIL. THERE ARE 29,000 DISABLED RESIDENTS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. 7.4 OF THE DISABLED ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 65. THEY FACE A POVERTY RATE OF 18%, WHICH IS ABOUT DOUBLE THAT OF ABLE-BODIED PEERS. THE WORKING AGE, DISABLED, BETWEEN 18 AND 59, HALF OF THEM DO NOT WORK AND MANY FACE, UM, EARNING ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF WHAT THEIR ABLE-BODIED PEERS EARN. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A 19% INCREASE IN THE LONG-TERM HOMELESSNESS AMONG DISABLED ADULTS. SO, WE NEED A HYBRID DISABILITY COUNCIL THAT ACTS AS BOTH A GOVERNMENT-APPOINTED ADVISORY BOARD, AS WELL AS A GATHERING TABLE FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ADVOCATES TO COORDINATE. IT NEEDS TO HAVE FORMAL TRIGGERS THAT REQUIRE PUBLIC AUTHORITY TO COME TO THE BOARD, TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE MINUSCULE AMOUNT OF HOUSING THAT WE HAVE, THAT IS WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE IN THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. - IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE ROOM WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO US TODAY? SEEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE FIRST ONLINE CALLER? - ERICA, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - THANK YOU. UM, MY NAME IS ERICA SCHWANBECK. I AM SPEAKING TODAY AS A DIRECTOR OF THE FELTON FIRE PROTECTION BOARD, PROTECTION DISTRICT BOARD REGARDING AGENDA ITEM 24 FOR THE RADIO SYSTEM. THE MSGA GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE DOES NOT INCLUDE SPECIAL DISTRICT REPRESENTATION AS A VOTING MEMBER, AND THESE SPECIAL DISTRICTS OPERATE ON NARROW BUDGETS, AND HAVE REPEATEDLY BEEN EXPRESSING CONCERN REGARDING THIS NEW SYSTEM. THE RESOLUTION TODAY IS TO DEFINE COUNTY PARTICIPATION IN THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IS THE SOLE AND FINAL VOTING BODY, AND THEY DON'T REPRESENT A SINGLE FIRE CHIEF IN THE COUNTY. THE NON-VOTING ADVISORS ALLOWS ONLY FOR THE PRESIDENT OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION, WHICH REPRESENTS 10 AGENCIES. ON DECEMBER 9TH, YOUR BOARD HEARD FROM THE FIRE CHIEFS AND WRITTEN CORRESPONDENCE ON THIS ITEM TODAY, UM, YOU HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE CHAIRS OF YOUR FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS REQUESTING EXPLICIT BOARD DIRECTION TO STAFF TO DEVELOP A MORE EQUITABLE FUNDING MODEL. AS ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE OF FELTON TO REPRESENT THEM, I CANNOT STAND IDLY BY AND I HUMBLY REQUEST THAT YOU DO NOT FOREGO, DECLINE, OR DIMINISH THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE OF YOUR LOCAL FIRE CHIEFS. THANK YOU. - ODALYS, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HELLO. GOOD MORNING, SUPERVISOR AND STAFF. MY NAME IS ODALYS MENDOZA. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME FEEDBACK AND THE STORIES THAT I HAVE HEARD ABOUT THE SEMILLITAS PROGRAM. UH, FOR MANY FAMILIES, HAVING A SAVINGS ACCOUNT CAN BE DIFFICULT ESPECIALLY NOW THAT THE COST OF LIVING KEEPS INCREASING. MANY FAMILIES SLEEP DAY TO DAY AND DO NOT ALWAYS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT LONG-TERM EXPENSES SUCH AS A COST OF HIGHER EDUCATION. PROGRAM LIKE SEMILLITAS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE, UH, WHEN FAMILIES DISCOVER THAT THEIR BABIES OR TODDLERS ALREADY HAVE A SAVINGS ACCOUNT START FOR THEM. IT CREATE HOPE AND ALSO MOTIVATION FOR THEM, IS HOW FAMILIES BELIEVE THAT HIGHER EDUCATION COULD BE POSSIBLE FOR THE CHILDREN IN THE FUTURE. AND SO, MANY FAMILIES START TO TALK WITH THEIR KIDS ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION WHILE THEY ARE ALSO ATTENDING TO DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS THAT THE PROGRAM IS PROVIDING, AND ALSO COLLABORATE WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO LEARN ABOUT CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND EDUCATION. UH, FOR THIS REASON, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS PROGRAM CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED AND MAINTAINED FOR THEIR FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HAVE A NICE DAY. - THANK YOU. [00:30:08] - TIM, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - HELLO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. CAN YOU HEAR ME? - YES. - EXCELLENT. UM, SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT, UH, I AM, UH, QUITE SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THE COMMENTS THAT I HAD JUST HEARD. UM, AS SOME OF YOU KNOW, THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THINGS LIKE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT, THAT'S KIND OF LIKE GROUND ZERO FOR ME. SO, UH, I- I APPRECIATE ALL THESE COMMENTS. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, ANYTHING THAT CAN MAKE THINGS A LITTLE BETTER FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE DISABILITIES, YOU KNOW, UM, I THINK, YOU KNOW, I FEEL THAT HAS HUGE BENEFITS FOR SOCIETY AND OUR- OUR COUNTY FOR SURE. YOU KNOW, UH, I MEAN, IT'S HARD ENOUGH AS IT IS FOR THESE PEOPLE TO START OUT YOUNG IN LIFE AND TO HAVE A DISABILITY, AND THEN TO BE MOVING AROUND AND- AND TO FIND, UH, SO FEW ACCOMMODATIONS FOR THEM, YOU KNOW, UH, THAT ARE ESSENTIALLY BARRIERS TO ALL OF THEM BEING ABLE TO, UH, BE PRODUCTIVE IN SOCIETY, AND TO, UH, BE ABLE TO CARE FOR THEMSELVES. SO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO BE SUPPORTIVE OF THESE COMMENTS, OKAY? AND, UM, A SHORT WORD HERE ON OUR- OUR GOVERNMENT. I JUST WANTED TO SAY I DON'T APPRECIATE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, UH, UM, JUST APPOINTING THESE, UH, US ATTORNEYS, YOU KNOW, IN A WAY THAT IS ILLEGAL. I- I DON'T SEE HOW WITH ICE AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING IN VIOLATING ALL OF OUR LAWS, AND AT THE SAME TIME, THIS LACK OF APPOINTMENT OF, UH, PROPERLY APPOINTING US ATTORNEYS CAN, UH, IMPROVE MY SAFETY IN SOCIETY AND LOWER MY FEAR. SO, UH, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT I THINK DONALD TRUMP NEEDS TO SIDE WITH THE US CONSTITUTION AND NOT WITH THE CONCEPTS OF OSAMA BIN LADEN. ANYWAYS, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. - THANK YOU. - YOU TAKE... - CALLING USER 002, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HEY, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS, UH, JAMES EWING WHITMAN. I NORMALLY LIKE TO SHOW UP IN PERSON, BUT, UM, I CAN'T TODAY, SO I'M JUST BEING IN OBSERVANCE AND LISTENING TO WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAYING. I APPRECIATE WHAT CAROL BJORN BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE GLYPHOSATE AND THE POISONING OF OUR FOOD. HOW DOES THAT RELATE TO THE BESS BATTERY PLANT? YOU KNOW, IF ALL THAT LAND WAS TATTED, IT'S ALREADY BEEN TOXIFIED BY THE ACCIDENT THAT HAPPENED A YEAR AND A HALF AGO. SO ONCE AGAIN, WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. AND I SUPPOSE IF I WERE TO MAKE DISPARAGING REMARKS, I'D JUST ASSUME MAKE THOSE TO, UM, LOOKING AT PEOPLE IN THE EYE. SO OBVIOUSLY, I DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY EVEN IF I WANTED TO. UM, I WANNA MAKE NOTE THAT THERE'S SOME REALLY INTERESTING THINGS GOING ON ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PLANET. UM, IT SEEMS TO ME, FROM A GREAT DEAL OF EVIDENCE THAT IT'S BEEN PROVEN THAT THE UNITED STATES MILITARY AND NATO ARE REALLY PAPER TIGERS. AND FOR WHATEVER REASON, THE... I'LL JUST SAY IT THE, UH, JESUIT ZIONIST, BOLSHEVIKS, NAZI, TO THE CURRENT PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, UM, IS DOING A POLICE ACTION AGAINST A COUNTRY, IRAN, THAT HASN'T ATTACKED ANYBODY TO MY KNOWLEDGE IN THE PAST 200 YEARS, WHERE THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT HAS ATTACKED 63 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND TAKEN OVER THEIR GOVERNMENT SINCE 1947. SO, I WANNA SAY THAT WE'RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, AND THE HAPPENINGS ARE GOING TO CREATE HARDSHIPS FOR EVERYBODY AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE THAT DISAGREE WITH EACH OTHER CAN LEARN TO TALK WITH EACH OTHER. THAT'S ENOUGH FOR NOW. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. - THANK YOU. - CALLING USER 204, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HI, GOOD MOR- MY NAME IS DIANE DENTON JONES, I LIVE IN WATSONVILLE. I'M CALLING IN TODAY TO ENCOURAGE ALL THE SUPERVISORS TO REALLY LOOK INTO ALTERNATIVE BATTERIES THAT DON'T BURN. UH, I LIVE CLOSE TO MINTO ROAD, AND, UM, I KNOW THAT THERE'S COMPANIES, ELYSIUM IS ONE OF THEM THAT, UM, PROVIDES A SODIUM ION BATTERY THAT WON'T BURN. IT WILL, UM, TAKE AWAY ALL THE MITIGATION, FIRE MITIGATION, RIGMAROLES THAT WE'RE HAVING TO GO THROUGH. IT WOULD PROTECT THE COMMUNITY, IT WOULD PROTECT OUR FARMLAND, IT WOULD PROTECT OUR WAY OF LIFE DOWN HERE. [00:35:01] SO, REALLY, TAKE THE TIME RIGHT NOW TO DEMAND NEWLEAF TO COME UP WITH AN ALTERNATIVE BATTERY FOR THAT SITE. WE DO NOT NEED A FLAMMABLE LITHIUM BATTERY TO BE SET IN OUR COUNTY AND SET A PRECEDENCE FOR TAKING OVER FARMLAND AND CREATING THIS MUCH DISTURBANCE. OVER 150 PEOPLE CAME TO A LOCAL MEETING, UM, ON MARCH 28TH, FEBRUARY 28TH, AND ARE CONCERNED. PEOPLE ARE STUCK HERE AND WE DO NOT WANT A BATTERY THAT WILL CAUSE SO MUCH ANGST AND POSSIBLY, POTENTIALLY HARM US. SO, SUPERVISORS, KOENIG, DE SERPA, CUMMINGS, MARTINEZ, AND I KNOW, HERNANDEZ, PLEASE LOOK INTO THESE ALTERNATIVE BATTERIES AND DEMAND THAT FROM NEWLEAF. THAT'S THE BEST YOU CAN DO FOR OUR COUNTY TO MAKE IT WORKABLE AND SAFE. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. BYE-BYE. - CALLING USER 1, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. CALLING USER 1, AS A REMINDER, IT'S *6 TO MUTE OR UNMUTE YOURSELF. - MARILYN GARRETT. I'D LIKE TO REFER PEOPLE TO A FILM, EARTH'S GREATEST ENEMY, THE US MILITARY. AND WHEN OUR TAX DOLLARS GO TO THE MILITARY AND THESE ENDLESS WARS, THEY'RE NOT BEING USED IN OUR COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PASS A RESOLUTION AGAINST THE, UM, THE ATTACK, THE WAR ON IRAN AND OTHER COUNTRIES. UM, THE US, UH, MILITARY IS THE GREATEST POLLUTER. I JUST LISTENED TO THE FIRST PART OF DEMOCRACY NOW! AND US AND ISRAEL ARE ABSOLUTELY DESTROYING IRAN AND BOMBING, UH, OIL FACILITIES. AND THERE'S BLACK GOOK IN THE AIR CONTAMINATING EVERYTHING, AND THAT BLOWS ALL OVER THE WORLD EVENTUALLY. WE NEED TO BE STOPPING THIS TOXICITY AND DESTRUCTION FROM THE MILITARY, FROM THE BATTERY STORAGE PLACES, FROM PESTICIDES. AND I URGE YOU TO WORK ON BEHALF OF THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF THE COMMUNITY. NO WARS, NO BATTERY PLANTS, ECOLOGICAL AGRICULTURE. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - ELIZABETH, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - GOOD MORNING, CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH SILVA, AND I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON BEHALF OF WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER. FIRST, I WANNA THANK THE BOARD AND THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE FOR THE WORK THAT HAS GONE INTO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. AT WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER, WE WORK CLOSELY WITH IMMIGRANT FAMILIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, WHO DEPEND ON ACCESS TO LEGAL SERVICES, HEALTHCARE, HOUSING SUPPORT, AND OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS THAT ALLOWS FAMILIES TO SEEK HELP IS TRUST. TRUST IS AN INSTITUTION SERVING THEM. UM, WILL IT RESPECT THEIR PRIVACY AND PROTECT THEIR INFORMATION? THE REPORT HIGHLIGHTS CONCERNS RAISED BY THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ABOUT HOW PERSONAL DATA IS COLLECTED AND SHARED BY PUBLIC SYSTEMS. THESE CONCERNS ARE VERY REAL FOR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE. WHEN PEOPLE FEAR THAT THEIR INFORMATION MAY BE USED IN WAYS THAT COULD EXPOSE THEM TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, THEY OFTEN STOP ACCESSING SERVICES ALTOGETHER. THE HESITATION CAN HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES, AND NOT ONLY FOR INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES, BUT FOR PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMUNITY SAFETY, AND THE STABILITY OF OUR LOC- LOCAL ECONOMY. UM, FOR THIS REASON, WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE DIRECTION OUTLINED IN THE SHIELD RECOMMENDATIONS, INCLUDING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY, UH, PROPERTY TO STAGE AREAS FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. THESE STEPS REINFORCE A MESSAGE THAT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY [00:40:01] IS COMMITTED TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS CAN SAFELY ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE PRIORITIZING STRONG SAFEGUARDS AROUND DATA PRIVACY AND INFORMATION SHARING SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN FEEL CONFIDENT THAT SEEKING SERVICES WILL NOT PUT THEM AT RISK. UM, POLICIES THAT PROTECT PRIVACY, AND CLARIFY THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN LOCAL SERVICES AND FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ARE CRITICAL IN MAINTAINING COMMUNITY TRUST. ON BEHALF OF THE WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WE SERVE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR TAKING THE STEPS TO PROTECT ACCESS TO SERVICES FOR EVERYONE IN SANTA CRUZ. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - HARMONY, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MARTINEZ AND EACH SUPERVISOR. ONCE AGAIN, I AM WRITING OR SPEAKING TO EACH OF YOU FROM MY NEW OFFICE HERE IN THE WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER. I'M ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION COALITION AND THE CHILDCARE SAFETY PLAN COALITION. I WANNA THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF ALL OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS AND AGAIN, FOR ALL YOUR INCREDIBLY HARD WORK BALANCING SO MANY COMPETING FACTORS, I RECOGNIZE IT'S CHALLENGING. I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE ORDINANCE THAT WOULD BAN THE, UH, OFFICIALS FROM USING COUNTY-OWNED FACILITIES FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER MAKING AN AMENDMENT TO THAT SO THAT IT SAYS THE WORD PROPERTY INSTEAD OF THE WORD FACILITY. AND I BELIEVE THAT COULD EXPAND TO ALSO PROHIBIT THE USE OF MASS SURVEILLANCE, UH, CAMERAS AND, UH, WE ALL KNOW THE DANGER OF COLLECTING THAT SORT OF DATA. SO, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT CONSIDERATION. UM, ALSO JUST WANTED TO MAKE NOTICE THAT THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION COALITION DID SEND A LETTER JUST RECENTLY TO THE SHIELD TASK FORCE. VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT FORCE BEING CREATED. AND WE REALLY WANNA REQUEST THAT THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION COALITION, WHICH COMPRISES OVER 100 PEOPLE REPRESENTING BOTH COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND GRASSROOTS PROJECTS. THE INDIVIDUALS WORKING DAILY WITH IMMIGRANTS ARE INCLUDED IN ALL, UM, ACTIONS OF, UM, OF THE SHIELD COMMITTEE. WE REALLY APPRECIATE BEING INCLUDED IN MEANINGFUL DECISION MAKING AND, UM, WOULD LIKE ACCESS TO, UM, RECORDS OF THAT MEETINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE. UM, WE WOULD APPRECIATE BEING, UH, ABLE TO JOIN THE BELONGING TO THE BAY CONVENINGS AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE MEANINGFUL PARTICIPATION IN THAT REALLY IMPORTANT PROCESS. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND, UM, APPRECIATE ALL YOUR HARD WORK. - THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, HOW MANY MORE CALLERS DO WE HAVE ONLINE? - AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE ONE INDIVIDUAL WITH THEIR HAND RAISED. - OKAY. UM, TO THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL OR ANYBODY ELSE ON THE CALL JUST A REMINDER TODAY, WE'RE- AT THIS MOMENT, WE'RE HEARING COMMENTS ON, UM, GENERAL ITEMS, ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND NOT ITEMS ON THE REGULAR AGENDA. IF YOUR COMMENT IS RELATED TO SOMETHING ON THE REGULAR AGENDA, INCLUDING THE SHIELD REPORT, UM, THAT WILL COME UP AS ITEM NUMBER SEVEN. THANK YOU. - CHAIR, THE SPEAKERS PUT THEIR HAND DOWN. WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE. - I SUSPECT THAT MIGHT BE THE CASE. UM, I, I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S, UM, FLEXIBILITY AS WE CONTINUE TO NAVIGATE, UM, THE RIGHT TIME TO SPEAK ON DIFFERENT ITEMS. SO NOW I'LL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD [ACTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA (ITEMS 12-47)] AND GO TO ITEM NUMBER SIX, WHICH IS ACTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - THANK YOU, CHAIR. UH, ON ITEM 19, DIRECTING THE BOARD CHAIR TO SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SB 1078, A MEASURE THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO SEEK VOTER APPROVAL FOR A COUNTYWIDE TRANSACTIONS AND USE TAX. I'M CAUTIOUSLY SUPPORTIVE OF THIS ITEM TODAY. I DO THINK WE NEED ALL THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE AS WE APPROACH A VERY DIFFICULT BUDGETING YEAR, UM, AND WELL, UH, CAN- CAN LOOK AT THIS OPTION IN MORE DETAIL. THAT SAID, I THINK WE'RE BEYOND THE TIME WHERE WE CAN HOPE THAT NEW TAXES PASS SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY ARE THE RIGHT THING TO DO. AND WE'VE ENTERED A TIME WHERE VOTERS ARE CONSIDERING, CAN I AFFORD IT? UH, AND I THINK THE ANSWER IS INCREASINGLY GONNA BE NO. $27 MILLION A YEAR THAT WOULD COME FROM A HALF CENT COUNTY SALES TAX NEEDS TO COME OUT OF SOMEBODY'S POCKETS. UH, AND IT COULD HAVE A LARGE IMPACT ON BUSINESSES AS WELL. UH, I'M ALSO WORRIED ABOUT THE MESSAGE IT SENDS TO THE STATE AT A TIME WHEN, UH, THE WORD IS INCREASING, THAT THEY'RE AWASH IN AI MONEY. UH, MAYBE WE SHOULD BE ASKING THEM TO SEND SOME OF THOSE FUNDS DOWN TO US, UH, TO DEAL WITH THE MYRIAD OF MANDATES THAT THEY'VE PUT ON US. UM, AND I'D ALSO REFERENCE COUNT- UH, THE, THE POLICY, UM, THE BUDGET, COUNTY BUDGET POLICY LINK TO ITEM 9 TODAY, WHICH IS THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ POLICIES AND PROCEDURAL MANUAL, GENERAL FUND BUDGETING PRINCIPLES USE OF RESOURCES. IT SAYS THAT THE COUNTY SHALL MINIMIZE THE ALLOCATION OF LOCAL RESOURCES TO OVERMATCH OR REPLACE LOST FUNDING [00:45:03] FROM OUTSIDE REVENUE SOURCES. AND GOES ON TO SAY, THE COUNTY SHALL OPERATE STATE OR FEDERAL PROGRAMS BASED ON THE LEVEL OF FUNDING PROVIDED AND SHALL NOT BACKFILL REDUCTIONS WITH COUNTY GENERAL FUND EXCEPT WHEN LOCAL PRIORITIES DICTATE THE NEED FOR CONTINUATION. SO, I THINK WE SHOULD CONSIDER, UM, ASKING THE CHAIR TO INCLUDE A REFERENCE TO THE GENERAL FUND BUDGETING PRINCIPLES, AND, UH, EXPLAIN THAT WE CANNOT BACKFILL ALL STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING AND REQUEST ADDITIONAL STATE ASSISTANCE AS WELL, UH, IN OUR LETTER SUPPORTING 1078. ON ITEM 44, APPROVING THE SOCAL DRIVE MULTIMODAL PROJECT FROM STATE PARK DRIVE TO FREEDOM BOULEVARD, UH, PHASE 2. I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD. UM, I DO THINK THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME EXPECTATION IN THE FUTURE THAT DISTRICT 4 PARTICIPATE AS FAR AS ITS CONSOLIDATED GRANT REQUESTS. UM, THIS IS ONE OF THE THREE MAJOR THOROUGHFARES IN THE COUNTY. AND ULTIMATELY, UH, GETTING FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, IT'S NOT JUST A FIRST AND SECOND DISTRICT ISSUE. UM, CERTAINLY, THERE'S A LOT OF DISTRICT 4 RESIDENTS THAT USE SOCAL DRIVE. SO I KNOW WE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY OF THE CONSOLIDATED GRANT MONEY IN, UH, DISTRICT 4 THIS PAST CYCLE, AND I WOULD, UH, EXPECT THAT DISTRICT 4 WILL PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT IN THE FUTURE. UM, I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT AS FAR AS PHASE 1 GOES, WE- WE REALLY NEED TO DO THIS RIGHT, UH, AND LOOK AT UPGRADING THE BOLLARDS. WE'VE GOT DOZENS, UH, THAT ARE IN THE, UH, YOU KNOW, ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD EVERY DAY. UM, SOME FOLKS HAVE COUNTED OV- OVER 80. I KNOW I'VE SOME OF MY OWN STAFF THAT STOP MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY AND THROW THEM IN THE BACK OF THEIR CAR. SO, UM, I THINK WE NEED TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE CAN DO THIS RIGHT. THIS PROJECT HAS A LOT OF PROMISE, UM, BUT, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A PROJECT THAT CAN LAST, UH, MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS OUT THERE. UM, FINALLY, ITEM 47, ADDING ANOTHER $160,000 TO A CONTRACT FOR THE FREEDOM LAKE RESTORATION AND INCREASED ACCESS PARK PROJECT. UH, I'M GONNA VOTE NO ON THIS. IF THIS WERE ORDINARY TIMES AND WE HAD SUFFICIENT MONEY, I'D SAY THIS IS A GREAT PROJECT, BUT THEY'RE NOT AND WE DON'T. IT'S ALREADY UNUSUALLY HOT OUTSIDE. THERE IS NO RAIN IN THE FORECAST. IT'S A FAIR BET THAT VEGETATION IS GONNA DRY OUT QUICKLY THIS YEAR. WE SHOULD BE USING THE NEW LIMITED MEASURE Q FUNDS THAT VOTERS ENTRUSTED TO US TO URGENTLY REDUCE FIRE RISK FOR OUR COMMUNITY. INSTEAD, WE'VE LITERALLY WANDERED INTO A SWAMP. STAFF WILL ARGUE THAT WE'RE GONNA USE THIS LOCAL INVESTMENT TO LEVERAGE STATE MONEY AND SO ON AND SO FORTH. BUT THERE IS $2 MILLION IN STATE MONEY FOR A SHADED FUEL BREAK ON SOQUEL SAN JOSE ROAD THAT IS AT RISK RIGHT NOW. SO I'M SORRY BUT NO, I DON'T THINK PLANNING TO REMOVE PAMPAS GRASS OUT OF AN OLD SWAMP IS THE RIGHT INVESTMENT AT THIS MOMENT. WE SHOULD BE WORKING OVERTIME TO TURN EVERY ROAD INTO A FIRE BREAK THE WAY THE CIVIL GRAND JURY RECOMMENDED IN THEIR 2020 REPORT, READY? AIM? FIRE! SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ON THE HOT SEAT. AND CAL FIRE'S 2022 COMMUNITY WILDFIRE PROTECTION PLAN. WE DON'T NEED MORE REPORTS. WE NEED TO EXECUTE ON THE ONES WE ALREADY HAVE. THANK YOU. - HEAR, HEAR. - SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. - UH, THANK YOU. UH, I, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR, UM, ISSUING A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF SOCIAL WORK APPRECIATION MONTH. UH, THE- THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S MONTH IS... ONE SECOND. THE THEME OF THIS YEAR'S MONTH IS, DRUM ROLL, UH, UPLIFT, DEFEND AND TRANSFORM. UM, WE HAVE MANY SOCIAL WORKERS, UH, IN CHILD WELFARE IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AT ADULT SERVICES AND OUR HOSPITALS, HOUSING, NAVIGATION, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY. AND I WANNA THANK THEM FOR THEIR WORK. THEY'RE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU, UH, TO OUR STAFF, UH, ALSO HERE, HONORING THEM TODAY. UM, UH, REGARDING THE COMMENTS THAT, UH, SUPERVISOR KOENIG MADE, UM, I WANNA THANK HIM FOR, UM, UH, PUSHING HIS ROAD MONEY TO THE SOQUEL, UM, UH, AND HIGHWAY 1 EXPANSION IN COURT. OR EVEN THOUGH IT'S NOT REALLY IN HIS DISTRICT, HE PROVIDED, UM, NEEDED MATCHING FUNDS, UM, FOR IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR TRANSPORTATION, UM, SIGNIFICANT TRANSPORTATION CORRIDORS. UM, AND I AGREE WITH HIM THAT DISTRICT 4 SHOULD THINK ABOUT UM, PROVIDING, UM, A SIMILAR MATCH IN THE FUTURE FOR CONTINUING, UM, IMPROVEMENTS IN THAT AREA. OR NOT JUST THAT AREA, BUT CONTINUING IMPROVEMENTS MOVING DOWN, UH, THE HIGHWAY. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD. UM, I'M ACTUALLY IN SUPPORT OF THE FREEDOM, UH, LAKE, UM, AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT'S OFFERED. UM, THAT'S A- A- IT'S A VERY SPECIAL AREA THAT HAS A KEYSTONE [00:50:04] AND IMPORTANT, UM, AMPHIBIANS AND ANIMALS THERE THAT NEED TO BE, AND THAT LAKE NEEDS TO BE RESTORED ON BEHALF OF, NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, BUT FOR THE ANIMALS THAT LIVE THERE. IT'S A VERY IMPORTANT WETLAND AREA. SO, I'M IN SUPPORT OF THAT TODAY. UM, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 16 FOR A MINUTE. UM, THIS IS A TREASURER'S INVESTMENT TRANSACTION REPORT. UM, I THINK IT'S 16. UH, FOR THE MONTH OF JANUARY. UM, IT'S CURIOUS TO ME THAT IN THE BACKUP FOR THIS, UM, PARTICULAR ITEM, IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY LIST OUT HOW MUCH MONEY, UM, WE'RE, UH, MAKING ON THIS INVESTMENT, AND I'D LIKE TO POTENTIALLY HAVE, UH, A REPORT COME FORWARD TO THIS BOARD, WHICH TALKS ABOUT HOW THE- HOW THE FIRM IS CHOSEN, UM, THAT INVESTS THIS MONEY, WHAT- HOW MUCH EVERY MONTH WE ARE GETTING ON THIS INVESTMENT, AND WHERE THAT INVESTMENT GOES. I BELIEVE IT GOES INTO THE GENERAL FUND. UM, BUT IT IS- IT'S NOT CLEAR, UM, FROM THE BACKUP. SO, I'D LIKE TO HEAR A REPORT ON THAT IN THE FUTURE. UM, SIMILARLY ON ITEM 17. THERE'S MONEY THAT- ABOUT A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS THAT WILL BE TRANSFERRED, UM, INTO THE GENERAL FUND THAT IS UNCLAIMED. SOME OF THAT MONEY INCLUDES, IN MY MIND, EASY TO LOCATE, UM, AGENCIES LIKE THE SHERIFF'S, UH, DEPARTMENT, UH, IN A DIFFERENT COUNTY. UH, THERE'S $3,000 THAT WE ARE MOVING INTO OUR GENERAL FUND. IT, IT IS CURIOUS TO ME WHY THERE ARE SO MANY NAMES AND AGENCIES ON THAT LIST THAT SOMEHOW WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THEM THEIR MONEY BACK. SO, I'D- I'D REALLY LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT, UM, HOW WE'RE DOING THAT IN THE FUTURE. 'CAUSE IT JUST DOESN'T SEEM FAIR. UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK, UH, THE SOUTH SKYLINE... THIS IS ITEM 20. THE SOUTH SKYLINE FIREFIGHTERS FOR THEIR, UM, UH, GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF A HUNDRED, OR CONTRIBUTION IN THE AMOUNT OF $150,000 TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT WATER TENDER FOR OUR SANTA CRUZ COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT, COUNTY SERVICE AREA 48. WE REALLY APPRECIATE THAT AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY GET A TENDER THAT SERVES THE NEEDS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IN, UH, IN A BETTER WAY. UM, AND THEN WE'VE HEARD, UM, FROM MANY PEOPLE ABOUT, UM, THE, TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE REGIONAL INTEROPERABLE NEXT GENERATION RADIO SYSTEM ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AND I KNOW THAT, UM, WE'LL BE LOOKING CAREFULLY AT THE MAKEUP OF THAT COMMITTEE. SO, I THANK, UM, STAFF FOR MAKING SURE OUR FIRE CHIEFS ARE WELL REPRESENTED THERE. UH, LASTLY, ITEM 26, UH, DIRECT THE BOARD CHAIR TO SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR ASSEMBLY BILL 1923, A MEASURE PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO THE DISTRESSED HOSPITAL LOAN PROGRAM TO THE BILL'S AUTHOR, AND A COPY TO OUR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES. THANK YOU, UH, TO, UH, SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ, FOR CO-AUTHORING THIS WITH ME. UM, OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE A HOSPITAL IN OUR SOUTH COUNTY THAT'S VERY DISTRESSED RIGHT NOW, AND WE WANT TO TRY TO DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN IN OUR POWER TO TRY TO SAVE THE HOSPITAL FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND FOR THE 650 EMPLOYEES, UH, THAT ARE THERE NOW. AND WE STAND, UH, WITH, UH, CEO STEVEN GRAY, AND THE EMPLOYEES OF THAT HOSPITAL TO TRY TO SAVE THE SERVICES THERE. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. - THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. - THANK YOU, CHAIR. FIRST AND FOREMOST, I'D LIKE TO THANK, UM, AND CONGRATULATE ALL THE SOCIAL WORKERS. YOU KNOW, ALL THE WORK THAT- THAT YOU DO IS CRITICAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. AND SO, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON SOCIAL WORKER MONTH. UH, I WANNA SPEAK ON A FEW ITEMS, UH, 26, 28, 29, 47. UM, I'D LIKE TO THANK, UH, MY COLLEAGUE, SUPERVISOR KIM DE SERPA. UH, SHE MENTIONED OUR DISTRESSED HOSPITAL THAT WE HAVE IN SOUTH COUNTY. BUT I THINK IT REALLY AFFECTS THE ENTIRE COUNTY. IF WE LOSE THAT HOSPITAL, IT'LL IMPACT THE HOSPITALS HERE IN NORTH COUNTY. UH, SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT AFLOAT. UM, AND NUMBER 28 AND 29. [00:55:01] UH, I ALWAYS LIKE TO THANK AND CONGRATULATE ALL OF OUR- ALL OF OUR COMMISSIONERS, UH, AND OUR APPOINTMENTS TO DIFFERENT BOARDS THAT WE SELECT. UH, SO I'D LIKE TO THANK ELIAD FOR, UH, JOINING COMMUNITY ACTION BOARD, AND JENNIFER WILLIS, UH, FOR JOINING THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL. WITH NUMBER 20... I MEAN, 47. - THANK YOU. - UH, THIS ISN'T NECESSARILY IN MY DISTRICT, BUT I DO WANT TO THANK PARKS AND SUPERVISOR DE SERPA FOR MOVING THIS ITEM FORWARD. UH, THIS IS, UM, IT'S A HUGE ASSET FOR OUR, FOR NOT JUST APTOS AREA BUT EVEN FOR SOUTH COUNTY. UH, A LOT OF FAMILIES USE THAT PARK, THAT LAKE, THAT FACILITY. UM, AND FOR A WHILE, IT'S BEEN CLOSED, AND SO, IT- IT- IT'S GOOD THAT IT'S REOPENING AND THAT, YOU KNOW, WATSONVILLE WETLANDS WATCH IS GOING TO DO SOME RESTORATION ALONG THAT LAKE BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY NEEDED IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. - SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - THANK YOU, CHAIR. I HAD A QUICK QUESTION FOR COUNTY COUNSEL BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MAY BE SOME ADDITIONAL DIRECTION AND DISCUSSION ON ITEM NUMBER 19. WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE TO PULL THAT, UM, AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME SINCE IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S ADDITIONAL DIRECTION? THIS IS THE- THE DIRECTING THE BOARD CHAIR TO SEND A LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR SENATE BILL 1078. - THE CHAIR HAS DISCRETION. SO IF- IF THE- IF THE- IF THE CHAIR WANTS TO ALLOW THAT ITEM TO BE, UM, PULLED AT THIS POINT, YOU CAN PULL IT. - I MEAN, GIVEN THERE MIGHT BE... I MEAN, 'CAUSE CONSENT GENERALLY, WE MAKE COMMENTS, AND THEN WE PASS CONSENT. AND GIVEN THERE MAY BE SOME BACK AND FORTH IN EXCHANGE, I'M JUST, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK WE PULL THAT SO WE CAN CONTINUE MOVING THROUGH THE MEETING. - UM, LET'S- LET'S MAKE THAT DECISION AT THE END. LET ME HEAR YOUR COMMENTS ON CONS- ON THAT ITEM. UM, I HAVE SOME COMMENTS AND, UM, WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO JUST TACK THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION ON AT THE PASSING OF THE MOTION. UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT DEVIATES WIDELY FROM... - NO, I JUST NEED SOME, I GUESS I'LL COME BACK TO IT AT THE END BUT I NEED SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION WOULD BE ON THE ITEM. AND SO I'LL JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, ITEM NUMBER 19, YOU KNOW, WE'RE IN VERY CHALLENGING TIMES RIGHT NOW. I DON'T THINK ANY OF US EVER ANTICIPATED, UM, HOW BADLY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD BE ATTACKING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND STATES, UM, IN THIS MANNER. AND, YOU KNOW, WHAT THIS ITEM IS ACTUALLY ASKING TO DO IS TO INCREASE, YOU KNOW, TO ALLOW THIS, TO ASK THE STATE TO ALLOW US TO INCREASE OUR SALES TAX, UM, ABOVE WHAT WOULD NORMALLY BE, UH, ALLOWED. AND THIS IS A, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD THEN NEED TO GO TO THE VOTERS FOR THE VOTERS TO ADOPT IT. AND SO, ALL WE'RE REALLY ASKING IS FOR THAT PERMISSION FROM THE STATE SO THAT WE COULD ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WOULD WANT TO ALLOW US TO INCREASE, UM, OUR SALES TAX BEYOND WHAT NORMALLY WOULD BE ALLOWED. AND IT REALLY IS TO TRY TO HELP US SUSTAIN SOME OF THESE SERVICES IN OUR COMMUNITY. BECAUSE IF WE LOSE A LOT OF FUNDING, I UNDERSTAND WHAT, UM, IT'S CALLED OUT IN OUR ADDITIONAL ITEM THAT WILL BE HEARD ON, UM, BUDGETING PRINCIPLES. UM, BUT IF WE ALLOW A LOT OF THESE SERVICES TO SHUT DOWN, IT'S GONNA HAVE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF PEOPLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITIES. AND SO, UM, I JUST NEED CLARITY AROUND WHAT THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION WOULD BE. UM, IT SOUNDS LIKE THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION WOULD BE IN THE LETTER, REALLY PUSHING ON THE STATE AND ADVOCATING FOR THEM TO, YOU KNOW, WITH WHATEVER ADDITIONAL REVENUES, IT SOUNDS LIKE, ARE AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT COUNTIES WITH THOSE REVENUES. UM, BUT I JUST WANNA GET SOME MORE CLARITY ON WHAT THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION WOULD BE. ITEM NUMBER, UH, 26. UH, I JUST WANT TO THANK, UM, AGAIN, SUPERVISORS, UH, HERNANDEZ AND DE SERPA. THIS IS THE ITEM RELATED TO ASSEMBLY BILL 1923, PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO DISTRESS HOSPITALS. AGAIN, YOU KNOW, I NEVER WOULD'VE THOUGHT, WELL, I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT WE'D BE IN THIS POSITION WHERE WE'RE HAVING SUCH SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE IMPACTS ON FUNDING TOWARDS HOSPITALS TO WHERE THEY'RE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY CLOSING DOWN. AND, UM, YEAH, TO SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ'S COMMENTS, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY WOULD IT HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS BUT OUR LOCAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, ALSO THE HOSPITALS IN- IN MONTEREY. AND SO, WE REALLY NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN KEEP THINGS AFLOAT. HOPEFULLY, THROUGH NOVEMBER, WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, CHANGEOVER IN CONGRESS. AND, UM, I THINK THAT, ACTUALLY, TODAY IS GONNA CONCLUDE MY COMMENTS. SO... THANK YOU VERY MUCH. - I APPRECIATE THAT. - OH, AND SO YEAH, WITH 19, I GUESS, ITEM NUMBER 19, I GUESS IT WOULD BE WORTH GETTING SOME CLARIFICATION ON WHAT THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION IS GONNA BE, UM, AND THERE MAY BE SOME BACK AND FORTH ON THAT, SO. - OKAY. UM, LET ME SEE. SUPERVISOR KOENIG, IF YOU CAN JUST CLARIFY THE QUESTION BRIEFLY. AND IF SO, MAYBE BE ABLE TO KEEP IT ON THE CONSENT. OTHERWISE, WE WILL PULL IT OFF. - YEAH, I DON'T THINK THE- THE- THE CHANGES [01:00:02] OR THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION RECOMMENDED ARE ALL THAT SIGNIFICANT. UH, JUST THAT, UM, WE INCLUDE IN THE LETTER THE CHAIR WRITES A REFERENCE TO OUR GENERAL FUND BUDGETING PRINCIPLES, AND THE FACT THAT, UM, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, WE'RE GONNA BE ABLE TO COMPLETELY BACKFILL ALL STATE AND FEDERAL LOSSES PURELY WITH GENERAL FUND MONEY. AND WE DO REQUEST ADDITIONAL STATE ASSISTANCE TO DO SO. - AND, UM, CAN I JUST ASK CEO COBURN TO WEIGH IN ON THAT ADDITIONAL DIRECTION? - YEAH. UM, SO REGARDING THIS MEASURE, THIS IS REALLY INTENDED TO HELP US SHOULD THE STATE DECIDE NOT TO DO ANYTHING. I THINK DEPENDING ON HOW IT'S PHRASED, THE ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE WOULD BE OKAY. I JUST DON'T WANT TO GET IN A SITUATION WHERE, AT SOME POINT, WE ARE GONNA BE ADVOCATING AROUND CSAC'S ASK THAT THEY'RE PREPARING TO SUBMIT TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION ADDRESSING THE HR-1 CUTS. SO, UM, THEY'RE- THIS IS IN PREPARATION FOR WHATEVER OUTCOME MIGHT COME IN THE FUTURE. SO, I JUST THINK WE SHOULD BE CAREFUL. I, I DON'T WANT US TO HURT ANY SORT OF ADVOCACY AROUND THAT FUTURE ASK OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE. - IS THAT SATISFACTORY TO YOU, IF THAT... - YEAH, I, I THINK SO. I MEAN, WE'RE JUST SETTING EXPECTATIONS ON OUR SIDE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA DO WHAT WE CAN, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE. - EXACTLY. - ALRIGHT, SO I'LL MOVE INTO MY, UM, CONSENT AGENDA COMMENTS, AND WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A MOTION, WE'LL HEAR THE LANGUAGE DIRECTLY. UM, I COULD START WITH THAT ITEM, ACTUALLY, I-ITEM NUMBER 19. UM, I DID WANT TO THANKS, UM, SENATOR LAIRD, FOR CARRYING THIS MEASURE FOR US. UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS DOES NOT AUTHORIZE A NEW TAX TODAY. UM, IT RATHER JUST ALLOWS US THE FLEXIBILITY TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT BEFORE THE VOTERS IN THE EVENT THAT WE, AS A BOARD, DECIDE THAT THAT'S WHAT'S NECESSARY FOR OUR BUDGET. UM, YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT THE PROSPECT OF NEW TAXES, UM, IS SOMETHING THAT SUPERVISOR KOENIG POINTED OUT COULD BE, UM, COULD BE DAUNTING. HOWEVER, SO IS THE PROSPECT OF THE, UH, POTENTIAL BUDGET MOVING FORWARD. SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE HARD DISCUSSIONS THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, AND THIS IS REALLY JUST A TOOL IN THE TOOLBOX. UM, I- I SUPPORT WHAT I HEAR CEO COBURN SAYING AS FAR AS, UM, DOING THIS IN ALIGNMENT WITH OUR ADVOCACY WITH CSAC, AND OUR STATE ADVOCACY. UM, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK IT HURTS TO SAY THAT THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND CAN'T BACKFILL ALL OF THE CUTS, UM, AND THE UNFUNDED MANDATES FROM THE STATE BECAUSE THAT'S TRUE. UM, AND SO I THINK THAT THAT'S A HELPFUL MESSAGE, UM, REMEMBERING THAT THIS LETTER IS INTENDED REALLY TO JUST SUPPORT SENATOR LAIRD, AS WELL AS, UM, ASSEMBLY MEMBER PELLERIN AND ADDIS, AS THEY MOVE THIS THROUGH THE STATE LEGISLATURE TO SUPPORT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S REQUEST. UM, ON ITEM NUMBER 24, THIS IS THE ITEM RELATED TO THE RING RADIO SYSTEM. I'M IN SUPPORT OF FORMING THIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. UM, AS A REMINDER, THIS WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE BROWN ACT, AND THEREFORE, TRANSPARENT IN ITS DECISION MAKING. AND I DO THANK THE COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO ARE WILLING TO SERVE. UM, I ALSO REALLY WANNA THANK THE FIRE DISTRICTS FOR ENGAGING WITH US IN SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS AS WE PREPARE TO MAKE THE TRANSITION TO RING. PERSONALLY, I'VE SPOKEN TO MANY OF THE CHIEFS IN MY DISTRICT A NUMBER OF TIMES, AND I KNOW WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE. AND AS I SHARED IN THE DECEMBER BOARD MEETING WHERE THIS CAME BEFORE THE BOARD, UM, AND YOU KNOW, AGAIN AND AGAIN, I'M COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS TO RESOLVE ANY OUTSTANDING ISSUES RELATED TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF RING. UM, I KNOW WE KNOW THAT THE PRICE TAG IS A LOT TO SWALLOW AND I AM STILL HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN BRING DOWN THE COSTS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. UM, FOR EXAMPLE, UM, JUST AT THE LAST MEETING, WE SUPPORTED A LETTER FOR THE COUNTY TO APPLY FOR 5.4 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING TO DO JUST THAT. AND SO, WE WANT THIS SYSTEM TO WORK FOR, FOR EVERYBODY. UM, WE ALL KNOW AND AGREE THAT CONTINUING WITH OUR CURRENT OUTDATED SYSTEM IS NOT AN OPTION, IT'S NOT IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND SO I HOPE THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITH ALL EMERGENCY SERVICES USING THE PLATFORM. AND I'M COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING THE COUNTY AS WE NAVIGATE, UM, THE TIME WE HAVE, UM, AS WE CONTINUE ALONG THIS IMPLEMENTATION. ON ITEM NUMBER 26, REQUESTING THAT THE CHAIR SEND A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF AB 1923, THE DISTRESSED HOSPITAL LOAN PROGRAM. I ALSO WANNA EXPRESS MY SUPPORT, UM, AND THANK SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ AND SUPERVISOR DE SERPA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. UM, WHILE WATSONVILLE HOSPITAL ISN'T IN MY DISTRICT, WE KNOW THAT THE HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET IS EXTREMELY FRAGILE AND AN IMPACT TO HOSPITALS IN SOUTH COUNTY [01:05:01] WILL HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE HEALTH AND WELLBEING OF EVERY RESIDENT IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. AND SO, UM, I AM DEEPLY COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING WATSONVILLE HOSPITAL THROUGH THE NEXT NUMBER OF MONTHS, UM, AS WE HELP THEM FIND SOME SUSTAINABILITY. AND FINALLY ON ITEM NUMBER 35, WHICH IS ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING AN AMENDMENT TO THE HOME KEY AGREEMENT WITH THE VETERANS VILLAGE. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO HOUSING FOR HEALTH LEADERSHIP AND STAFF, THE VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING BOARD, AND THE DEVELOPER DAN COE. UM, THIS HAS BEEN A COLLECTIVE EFFORT TO SECURE TAX CREDITS THAT WILL MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE THE VETERAN-SERVING PROJECT LOCATED IN THE FIFTH DISTRICT. UM, IT HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME TO GET THE RIGHT FORMULA OF FUNDING AND THE RIGHT PARTNERS TO THE TABLE TO SEE THIS PROJECT THROUGH, AND I'M VERY EXCITED THAT WE'RE GONNA ACTUALLY GET TO SEE SOME PROGRESS, UM, AT THE OLD J TIMBERLAND SITE, WHICH IS, UM, KIND OF AN ICONIC SITE ALONG HIGHWAY 9. AND, UM, LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT PROJECT COMPLETED AND ABLE TO SERVE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. SO WITH THAT, I'D LIKE TO SEE IF THERE'S A MOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND I THINK I'LL ASK SUPERVISOR KOENIG TO DO IT WITH YOUR ADDITIONAL DIRECTION AND SEE IF WE HAVE FURTHER DIALOGUE. - ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, CHAIR. I'LL MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS WITH THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION ON ITEM 19, THAT THE CHAIR INCLUDE REFERENCE TO THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND BUDGETING PRINCIPLES IN REGARDS TO BACKFILLING STATE AND FEDERAL REDUCTIONS AND EXPLAINING TO THE COUNTY WE'LL STILL NEED ADDITIONAL STATE ASSISTANCE IN ORDER TO MAKE THESE PROGRAMS WHOLE. - SECOND. - WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG AND A SUPERVISOR FROM SUPERVISOR, UH, A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. IS THERE FURTHER DISCUSSION? SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - YEAH, I JUST WANT TO- TO READ THIS ONE SECTION. SO, COUNTY SHALL MINIMIZE THE ALLOCATION OF LOCAL RESOURCES TO OVERMATCH OR REPLACE LOST FUNDING FROM OUTSIDE REVENUE SOURCES. AND WITHIN THAT SECTION, IT SAYS, THE COUNTY SHALL OPERATE STATE OR FEDERAL PROGRAMS BASED ON THE LOCAL FUNDING PROVIDED AND SHALL NOT BACKFILL REDUCTION WITH COUNTY GENERAL FUND EXCEPT WHEN LOCAL PRIORITIES DICTATE THE NEED FOR CONTINUATION. I THINK THAT THAT'S MAYBE A GOOD SECTION TO REFERENCE AND REALLY EMPHASIZE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE NEED TO CONTINUE THESE PROGRAMS AND WE'RE GONNA DO OUR BEST TO DO SO IF- SHOULD WE BE ABLE TO INCREASE OUR SALES TAX AND PUT THAT BEFORE THE VOTERS. BUT THEN TO SUPERVISOR KOENIG'S POINT, REALLY EMPHASIZING THAT WE, WE DO NEED THE STATE TO HELP US, YOU KNOW, BACKFILL THESE REDUCTIONS. SO, THAT'S MY ONLY COMMENT. - SO, WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE FLOOR AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU CALL THE ROLL? - CERTAINLY. SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - AYE. - HERNANDEZ. - AYE. - KOENIG. - AYE. WITH A NO VOTE ON ITEM 47. - DE SERPA. - AYE. - AND MARTINEZ. - AYE. MOTION PASSES AS STATED. THAT'S GOOD. OKAY. ALL RIGHT. WE- I WILL NOW COMPLETE THE CONSENT AGENDA, AND MOVE ON TO OUR REGULAR AGENDA. AND THE FIRST ITEM THAT I'M GOING TO CALL IS ITEM NUMBER 7, [7. Consider first report and recommendations of the ad hoc Board Subcommittee to Safeguard Health, Inclusion, Essential Services, and Local Defense (S.H.I.E.L.D.), approve in concept an “Ordinance of the Board of Supervisors Adding Chapter 10.07 to the Santa Cruz County Code to Prohibit the Use of County Property for Civil Immigration Enforcement”, and take related actions] WHICH IS TO CONSIDER THE FIRST REPORT AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AD HOC BOARD SUBCOMMITTEE TO SAFEGUARD HEALTH INCLUSION, ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND LOCAL DEFENSE, AND APPROVE IN CONCEPT AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADDING CHAPTER 10.07 TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND TAKE RELATED ACTIONS. SO, AS A REMINDER OF PROCESS, I'M GOING TO BE PRESENTING THIS REPORT ON BEHALF OF THE SHIELD AD HOC COMMITTEE, AS WELL AS COMMENTS FROM SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. I'LL THEN RETURN TO MY COLLEAGUES ON THE BOARD TO, UM, ASK QUESTIONS FOR MYSELF OR ANY STAFF IN THE ROOM. AFTER THAT, WE'LL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT, AND THEN WE'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR, UM, DELIBERATION AND DIRECTION. I SEE THAT. OKAY. THERE WE GO. THANK YOU. SO, IN THE CONTEXT OF INCREASED FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AND FEDERAL BUDGET CUTS TO SERVICES THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACT OUR MIGRANT COMMUNITY, THE BOARD AUTHORIZED THE FORMATION OF AN AD HOC BOARD SUBCOMMITTEE TO WORK ON MAKING SURE THE COUNTY IS PREPARED. WE CALLED THIS A- AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE, THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE, WHICH STANDS FOR SAFEGUARDING HEALTH, INCLUSION, ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND LOCAL DEFENSE. THIS IS OUR FIRST REPORT BACK AFTER QUICKLY TAKING STOCK OF WHERE THE COUNTY IS, AND THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED TO US. THIS SUBCOMMITTEE IS ONLY SIX WEEKS OLD, BUT I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO TO THIS POINT. SO, LET'S START WITH WHO THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS. THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE, THE SHIELD IS- IS A SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. SO, WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT IT'S COMPRISED OF A MINORITY OF THE BOARD, SO TWO SUPERVISORS, THAT'S MYSELF AND SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ, AND WE COUNT ON THE PARTICIPATION OF THE CEO'S OFFICE, [01:10:01] WHO WILL BE WORKING WITH KEY COUNTY PERSONNEL, COMMUNITY PARTNERS, LOCAL AND REGIONAL PARTNERS AND OTHERS. THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE WAS ESTABLISHED TO SUPPORT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S COORDINATED, LAWFUL AND TIMELY PREPAREDNESS IN RESPONSE TO INCREASED FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. ITS FOCUS IS ON INTERNAL COUNTY PREPAREDNESS. INCLUDING REVIEWING AND STRENGTHENING COUNTY DEPARTMENT PROTOCOLS RELATED TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ENCOUNTERS IN COUNTY FACILITIES, IDENTIFYING LEGAL, OPERATIONAL AND POLICY GAPS THAT MAY AFFECT SERVICE ACCESS OR COUNTY COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL LAW, ASSESSING CONTINUITY OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES, EXPLORING FUNDING STRATEGIES AND RESOURCES NEED- AND RESOURCE NEEDS RELATED TO SERVICE ACCESS, AND COMMUNITY STABILIZATION, COORDINATING WITH OTHER LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND REGIONAL PARTNERS TO PREPARE AND RESPOND, AND DEVELOPING POTENTIAL POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION. SO, THE SUBCOMMITTEE WILL NOT DIRECTLY REPLACE DIRECT, UM, DIRECT COMMUNITY-BASED RAPID RESPONSE NETWORKS. IT'LL ALSO NOT CONDUCT OR COORDINATE FIELD RESPONSE TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITY OR SERVE AS A PUBLIC REPORTING OR EMERGENCY RESPONSE HOTLINE. THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE HAVE A NUMBER OF COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE DOING THAT WORK VERY WELL. AND SO, THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S INTENTION IS TO SUPPORT GAPS IN WORK RELATED TO THE COUNTY'S PARTICIPATION AND THE COUNTY'S INTERNAL PROTOCOLS AS OPPOSED TO DUPLICATING THE GOOD WORK THAT'S BEING DONE BY OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDERS. IT'S ALSO WORTH NOTING THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE CANNOT ADOPT NEW COUNTY POLICY WITHOUT APPROVAL OF THE FULL BOARD. SO, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE IS ALSO TO ENGAGE AND PARTNER WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND OUR PARTNERS. WE HAVE HEARD NUMEROUSLY THAT COMMUNITY PARTNERS WANT TO BE ENGAGED AND WANT TO BE A PART OF THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE. WHILE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ITSELF IS JUST SIMPLY MYSELF AND SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ, WE ARE SEEKING MULTIPLE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. JUST, UH, TWO WEEKS AGO, THE COUNTY CONVENED COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES, HEALTH PROVIDERS, AND LOCAL JURISDICTIONAL PARTNERS TO ASSESS THE IMPACTS OF FEDERAL POLICY ON ALL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RESIDENTS INCLUDING IMPACTS THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. SOME OF THE KEY THEMES THAT EMERGED FROM THIS COMMUNITY CONVENING ARE THE NEED FOR A CENTRALIZED PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION CLARIFYING OUR COUNTY POLICIES AND OUR PROTOCOLS, THE IMPORTANCE OF UNIFORM SIGNAGE AND CONSISTENT MESSAGING ACROSS COUNTY AND CITY FACILITIES TO REDUCE CONFUSION. CONCERNS REGARDING THE DECLINING UTILIZATION OF MEDICAL, DENTAL, FOOD DISTRIBUTION, AND PUBLIC BENEFIT SERVICES DUE TO FEAR AND MISINFORMATION, AN INTEREST IN ENSURING SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC SPACES WHERE COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN ASSEMBLE AND ORGANIZE, REQUEST FOR CLEARER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT GUIDANCE, IF ANY, OUR EMERGENCY DISPATCH SYSTEMS CAN PROVIDE WHEN INDIVIDUALS ENCOUNTER FEDERAL AGENTS IN THE FIELD, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF NON-DIGITAL AND BILINGUAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS AND DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION THROUGH TRUSTED COMMUNITY-BASED PARTNERS. IN ADDITION TO THIS CONVENING, MYSELF AND SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ, AS WELL OF OUR STAFFS HAVE ATTENDED MEETINGS OF THE LATINO AFFAIRS ADVISORY COMMISSION, THE YARR, THE RAPID RESPONSE GROUP, OUR VOAD OR VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS, THE SOUTH COUNTY TRIAGE GROUP, THE SANTA CRUZ IMMIGRATION COALITION COMMUNICATIONS TEAM. AND AGAIN, THE PURPOSE OF THIS IS TO CLARIFY THE COUNTY'S ROLES AND OUR BOUNDARIES IN THIS WORK, IDENTIFY WHERE COUNTY POLICIES ALIGN, AND IN IT, WITH THE INTENTION OF REDUCING CONFUSION, AVOIDING DUPLICATION OF COMMUNITY-LED RAPID RESPONSE EFFORTS, AND IDENTIFYING EMERGENCY SERVICE AREAS OF CONCERN. INPUT FROM THESE DISCUSSIONS WILL CONTINUE TO INFORM THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S NEAR TERM AND LONG TERM PRIORITIES. WE ARE ALSO WORKING TO EXPAND STRUCTURED COMMUNICATION WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS, INCLUDING CITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, THE PAJARO VALLEY HEALTHCARE DISTRICT, MONTEREY COUNTY, AND RELEVANT SPECIAL DISTRICTS. WE RECOGNIZE THAT INTERAGENCY COORDINATION WILL HELP TO REDUCE THE CONFUSION THAT WE WERE HEARING ABOUT FROM OUR COMMUNITY PROVIDERS. AND FINALLY, WE'RE ALSO CONTINUING TO WORK ON WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS. 'CAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THAT ACTIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT [01:15:03] DON'T STOP AT JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES. THEY DON'T STOP AT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ BOUNDARIES. SO WE'RE WORKING WITH REGIONAL PARTNERS TO COORDINATE OUR ACTIVITIES, PROMOTE CONSISTENCY, SHARE BEST PRACTICES, AND REDUCE CROSS COUNTY CONFUSION. IN THE LAST MONTH, SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ AND I, AS WELL AS COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER COBURN AND HER STAFF, HAVE PARTICIPATED IN A REGIONAL ROUND TABLE CONVENED BY CONGRESSPERSON, JIMMY PANETTA, THAT INCLUDE A NUMBER OF OTHER, UH, LOCAL PARTNERS AND AGENCIES. SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ AND I ALSO SIT ON THE LATINO CAUCUS OF CALIFORNIA COUNTIES, WHERE WE ENGAGE MONTHLY WITH SUPERVISORS FROM ACROSS THE STATE. AND THE COUNTY CEO HAS DESIGNATED KEY STAFF TO PARTICIPATE IN UPCOMING BAY AREA REGIONAL MEETINGS AND INTERIM WORK GROUPS TO ENSURE SUSTAINED COORDINATION. SO, THE BULK OF OUR WORK OVER THE LAST SIX WEEKS HAS BEEN REALLY FOCUSING ON WHERE IS THE COUNTY TODAY, WHAT WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN- BEEN DONE. AND I APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION, UM, WHEN WE INTRODUCED THE SUBCOMMITTEE FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS WHO ASKED, YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE WE AT BASED ON PREVIOUS BOARD DIRECTION? SO, WE STARTED WITH A REVIEW OF COUNTY POLICIES AND OPERATIONAL PROTOCOLS. THE SIX COUNTY DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE MOST FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTION WITH THE PUBLIC AND SEEM MOST LIKELY TO BE IMPACTED BY FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ACTIVITY HAVE DEVELOPED OR UPDATED POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR AND INTERACT WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. THESE DEPARTMENTS ARE THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY, AND THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT. ADDITIONALLY, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE IS CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE SAFETY OFFICER IN OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT TO FINALIZE CLEAR PROCEDURES FOR ALL COUNTY STAFF WHEN APPROACHED, QUESTIONED OR OBSERVED BY EXTERNAL PARTIES, INCLUDING IMMIGRATION OR OTHER FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. ONCE FINALIZED, THE SAFETY OFFICER WILL ALSO IMPLEMENT COUNTYWIDE TRAINING TO ENSURE ALL EMPLOYEES UNDERSTAND AND CONSISTENTLY APPLY THESE PROTOCOLS. ADDITIONALLY, OVER THE LAST NUMBER OF MONTHS, MY OFFICE HAS HEARD FROM MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT DATA THE COUNTY COLLECTS AND WHAT DATA IS SHARED. IN DECEMBER OF 2024, THE BOARD RESOLVED THAT COUNTY RESOURCES ARE NOT TO BE USED TO ENFORCE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION LAW THAT TARGETS INDIVIDUALS BASED SOLELY ON IMMIGRATION STATUS, GATHER OR DISSEMINATE INFORMATION REGARDING THE IMMIGRATION STATUS OF INDIVIDUALS, OR COLLECT PERSONAL INFORMATION UNLESS EXPLICITLY REQUIRED TO BY FEDERAL OR STATE STATUTE, REGULATION, OR COURT DECISION. AT THAT TIME, THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WERE ALSO DIRECTED TO REVIEW THEIR CONFIDENTIALITY POLICIES TO PREVENT ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS FROM BEING DISCOURAGED FROM SEEKING SERVICES OR ENGAGING WITH THE COUNTY RESOURCES BASED ON IMMIGRATION STATUS. PURSUANT TO THIS RESOLUTION, COUNTY STAFF DO NOT INQUIRE INTO A PERSON'S IMMIGRATION STATUS FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. COUNTY STAFF AVOID INQUIRING INTO IMMIGRATION STATUS UNLESS IT IS LEGALLY REQUIRED AND/OR USED TO PROVIDE SERVICES ADDRESSING UNIQUE CHALLENGES, NEEDS AND GOALS. AND WHEN SUCH INFORMATION MUST BE COLLECTED, STAFF EXPLAIN HOW IT WILL BE USED AND PROTECTED UNDER APPLICABLE CONFIDENTIALITY LAWS. ADDITIONALLY, MANY SANTA CRUZ RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED PARTICULAR CONCERN ABOUT DATA COLLECTED BY AUTOMATIC LICENSE PLATE READERS, SUCH AS FLOCK CAMERAS BEING SHARED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THE COUNTY DOES NOT UTILIZE ALPR CAMERAS - THOSE ARE FLOCK CAMERAS - WITHIN ITS JURISDICTIONAL BOUNDARIES, THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF SANTA CRUZ. SO, IT'S NOT ADDING ANY ALPR DATA THAT COULD BE SHARED. THERE ARE SOME CITIES IN SANTA CRUZ THAT USE ALPR CAMERAS, BUT THAT'S UP TO THOSE JURISDICTIONS, NOT THE COUNTY. FOR INVESTIGATION PURPOSES, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DOES HAVE ACCESS TO A STATE INTELLIGENCE CENTER THAT INCLUDES DATA COLLECTED BY ALPRS AND OTHER DISTRICTS. HOWEVER, THAT DATA IS SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS AND BY THE CALIFORNIA VALUES ACT SB 54, WHICH PROHIBITS SHARING THAT DATA WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES OR AUTHORITIES FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES. AND THE ACCESS TO THAT DATA BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS STRICTLY LIMITED TO THOSE WHO HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW IN RELATIONSHIP TO THE INVESTIGATION. HOWEVER, GIVEN THE LEVEL OF CONCERN ABOUT HOW LAW ENFORCEMENT IS USING THIS DATA, WHETHER CREATED BY THE COUNTY OR NOT, THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE HAS REQUESTED THAT OUR INSPECTOR GENERAL PERFORM AN AUDIT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE POLICIES ON ACCESSING THE STATEWIDE DATA [01:20:02] AND ITS COMPLIANCE WITH THOSE POLICIES. THAT AUDIT WORK ALREADY FALLS WITHIN THE SCOPE OF WORK OF OUR AGREEMENT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, WITH THE INSPECTOR GENERAL. SO, NOW, LET'S TALK ABOUT LIMITING IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ON COUNTY PROPERTY. AS WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS RESCINDED PRIOR LIMITATIONS ON IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AT OR NEAR SENSITIVE LOCATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ACCESS ESSENTIAL SERVICES, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, COURTS, AND MEDICAL FACILITIES. AND WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASED TENDENCY FOR THESE SPACES TO BE USED BY FEDERAL AGENTS AS STAGING AREAS AND OPERATION BASES. CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES UNDERMINE COMMUNITY TRUST, SPREAD FEAR, AND CREATE BARRIERS TO ACCESSING ESSENTIAL SERVICES. THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE LOOKED AT WHAT'S BEING DONE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND IS RECOMMENDING ADOPTING THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE ATTACHED TO OUR REPORT, WHICH WOULD ADD CHAPTER 10.07 TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. THIS ORDINANCE WOULD PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY OWNED OR COUNTY CONTROLLED PARKING LOTS, OPEN SPACES, AND BUILDINGS AS STAGING AREAS, PROCESSING LOCATIONS, OR OPERATIONS BASIS FOR FEDERAL CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES TO THE EXTENT PERMISSIBLE BY LAW. IT WOULD NOT PREVENT COMPLIANCE WITH LAWFULLY ISSUED JUDICIAL WARRANTS OR OTHER JUDICIAL ORDERS. THIS POLICY WOULD DIRECT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE TO DEVELOP PROTOCOLS TO ENSURE THAT, WHEREVER APPROPRIATE, PHYSICAL BARRIERS SUCH AS LOCKED DOORS AND GATES ARE USED TO LIMIT ACCESS TO THESE SPACES. POTENTIAL COSTS COULD INCLUDE STAFF TIME TO IDENTIFY SITES APPROPRIATE FOR SIGNAGE AND ACCESS CONTROLS. SO, THE CEO WILL RETURN TO THE BOARD WITH A COST ESTIMATE FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL IF THAT WOULD BE NECESSARY. SO, LOOKING AHEAD AT OUR NEXT STEPS, THE SUBCOMMITTEE'S NEXT PHASE OF WORK WILL FOCUS ON THREE AREAS: STRENGTHENING OUR INTERNAL READINESS, MAINTAINING CLOSE COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, AND ALIGNING WITH REGIONAL AGENCIES. FIRST ON INTERNAL READINESS, WE'LL CONTINUE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AS THEY FINALIZE THE COUNTYWIDE PROTOCOL FOR STAFF ENGAGEMENT WITH IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND MOVE FORWARD WITH TRAINING OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. WE WILL ALSO PROVIDE INPUT AS STAFF DEVELOP A CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS THAT CLARIFIES OUR COUNTY ROLES, COORDINATION AND COMMUNICATION PATHWAYS SHOULD SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL ACTIVITY OCCUR. SECOND, WE'LL CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS. THIS INCLUDES ESTABLISHING A REOCCURRING COMMUNITY ROUNDTABLE WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS, DEVELOPING OUTREACH MATERIALS TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES UNDERSTAND THEIR RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES, AND IDENTIFYING WAYS TO SUPPORT ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE SEEING INCREASED DEMAND FOR SERVICES. WE'LL ALSO LOOK AT ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SHARE ACCURATE INFORMATION THROUGH TRUSTED NON-DIGITAL COMMUNICATION CHANNELS. THIRD, WE'LL CONTINUE COMMUNICATING WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND REGIONAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING CITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS, AND NEIGHBORING COUNTIES TO PROMOTE CONSISTENCY IN FACILITY PROTOCOLS AND PUBLIC MESSAGING. WE'LL ALSO ENGAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP AND DISPATCH PARTNERS, TO REVIEW EMERGENCY RESPONSE CONSIDERATIONS TO ENSURE LIFESAVING PRIORITIES REMAIN CLEAR. FINALLY, WE'LL CONTINUE MONITORING 10 TRENDS IN SERVICE UTILIZATION ACROSS HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC BENEFIT, AND FOOD PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY ANY EARLY SIGNS THAT RESIDENTS ARE AVOIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES. IF THE BOARD APPROVES TODAY'S RECOMMENDATION, THE SUBCOMMITTEE WILL ALSO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE REGARDING THE USE OF COUNTY-OWNED AND COUNTY CONTROLLED PROPERTY. AND WE'LL CONTINUING- WE'LL CONTINUE REPORTING BACK TO THE BOARD AS THIS WORK PROGRESSES. SO AS I BEGAN WITH, THIS IS STILL A RELATIVELY NEW SUBCOMMITTEE. WE'RE ABOUT SIX WEEKS IN AND WE'VE DONE A LOT OF GOOD WORK AND THERE'S STILL MORE WORK AHEAD. WE ARE CONTINUING TO PARTNER WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THIS WORK, SO THAT WAY OUR ESSENTIAL SERVICES REMAIN ACCESSIBLE AND SAFE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. SO WITH THAT, I'M GONNA TURN IT OVER TO SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ TO SEE IF HE HAS ANY COMMENTS TO ADD. - I DO. I HAVE SOME COMMENTS ON JUST ON THE IMPORTANCE OF SHIELD AND THE IMPACTS IT HAS ON SOUTH COUNTY. BUT I'M ALSO GLAD THAT THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE ALREADY TOOK, UH, COORDINATED EFFORT TO- IN CREATING SAFEGUARDS WITHIN THEIR PROPERTIES AS WELL AS OTHER AGENCIES AND DISTRICTS. UM, THE IMPACTS IN OUR, OF ICE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE DEVASTATING TO FAMILIES. IT CAUSES NOT ONLY FEAR, BUT IT HALTS THE DAILY LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS. MANY HAVE SEEN THE CHAOS THAT ICE BRINGS ON TELEVISION AND WORRY THAT IT COULD BE ON THEIR DOORSTEPS NEXT. [01:25:03] CHILDREN ARE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL FOR FEAR THAT THEIR PARENTS MIGHT BE DETAINED OR DEPORTED. PARENTS ARE CREATING CONTINGENCY PLANS FOR THEIR CHILDREN IN CASE THEY ARE DETAINED. SEPARATION OF FAMILIES ARE NOT SOMETHING OUR RESIDENTS SHOULD BE PLANNING FOR, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE. OUR COMMUNITY IS SCARED TO GO TO WORK AND EMPLOYEES ARE UNSURE HOW TO PROTECT THEIR EMPLOYEES. RESIDENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN FEAR WHILE CARRYING OUT THEIR BASIC NEEDS. ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES LIKE HEALTHCARE, SCHOOLS, PUBLIC SERVICE AND FOOD SHOULD BE A RIGHT, YET MANY AVOID MEDICAL CARE, AND EVEN ESSENTIAL RESOURCES BECAUSE OF FEAR. EDUCATION SHOULD BE A RIGHT FOR CHILDREN, YET FEAR PREVENTS THEM FROM ATTENDING SCHOOL. THIS IS ESPECIALLY CRITICAL FOR OUR AGRICULTURAL WORKERS WHO PROVIDE FOOD FOR THE COUNTRY. WHEN FARM WORKER FAMILIES HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN GOING TO WORK TO SURVIVE AND RISKING DETAINMENT, OR LEAVING THEIR CHILDREN AT HOME AND RISKING SEPARATION, THE TOLL IS IMMENSE. CHILDREN GROW UP WITH STRESS, ANXIETY, AND UNCERTAINTY, WHICH AFFECTS THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN. FAMILIES GO HUNGRY BECAUSE THEY FEAR ACCESSING FOOD OR SERVICES. THESE IMPACTS HAVE A NEGATIVE RIPPLE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. ON TOP OF THIS, FEDERAL POLICIES SUCH AS HR1, WHICH DRAMATICALLY INCREASE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT FUNDING, WILL CREATE EVEN GREATER HEALTH AND FINANCIAL BURDENS FOR OUR RESIDENTS. FAMILIES MAY DELAY THE- MAY DELAY COST AND STRAIN ON EMERGENCY SERVICES. ECONOMIC INSECURITY WILL DEEPEN AS PEOPLE HESITATE TO WORK OR ACCESS BASIC NEEDS. THAT IS WHY SHIELD AND OUR COMMITTEE EXIST TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH ALL OF YOU, OUR COMMUNITY AND NONPROFIT PARTNERS, TO GUIDE OUR ACTIONS AND BUILD SAFEGUARD. SHIELD ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO COORDINATE A PROACTIVE RESPONSE TO PROTECT, SUPPORT AND UPLIFT FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS AFFECTED FIRST BY ICE ACTIONS, AND SECOND BY BROADER FEDERAL BUDGETARY POLICIES LIKE HR1. WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY WHAT POLICIES, PLANS, PROGRAMS, AND CHANGES THE COUNTY CAN MAKE TO BETTER PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS. SO EVERYONE'S INSIGHT IS ESSENTIAL IN HELPING TO ENSURE THAT FAMILIES CAN ACCESS SERVICES, CHILDREN CAN LEARN SAFELY, AND WORKERS CAN PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY WITHOUT FEAR OR INTIMIDATION. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. I'LL NOW SEE IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM. SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - YEAH, THANKS FOR, UM, ALL THE WORK DONE TO DATE ON THIS. I GUESS THE ONE QUESTION, SO WHEN, I GUESS WHEN WOULD WE BE RECEIVING AN UPDATE LIKE THE FOLLOWING UPDATE? OR IS THERE NOT LIKE NO TIME AT THIS POINT? - YES. UM, I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I MADE IT INTO THE REPORT, BUT WE WERE PLANNING TO COME BACK AT THE SECOND MEETING IN MAY FOR OUR NEXT REPORT BACK. - OKAY, THANK YOU. - YEAH. SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. - THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR PARTICIPATION, UM, ON, UH, ON, IN THE CAUCUS AND, UM, WITH THE BAY AREA, UM, UH, GREATER EFFORTS TO PROTECT PEOPLE. UM, I'M WONDERING ABOUT PUBLIC CHARGE RULES. UM, AND MAYBE YOU DON'T HAVE TO ANSWER THIS TODAY, BUT, UH, I KNOW THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS SEEKING TO VOID, UH, DHS 2022 RULES, UM, THAT THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAD PUT INTO PLACE. AND I THINK PEOPLE HAVE REAL FEAR, UM, THAT IF THEY USE, UH, PUBLIC BENEFITS AT ALL, THAT THEY COULD BE TAR- THEN TARGETED. AND AS WE KNOW, MANY OF THOSE NAMES, ADDRESSES, ET CETERA, HAVE BEEN SHARED WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. SO I'M WONDERING IF WE COULD TALK MORE ABOUT THAT IN THE FUTURE. - YEAH, I THINK I'LL ASK OUR HSD DIRECTOR, MR. MORRIS, TO COME UP. - UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, SUPERVISORS. RANDY MORRIS, HUMAN SERVICE DIRECTOR. THE REASON I'M BEING CALLED UP, PUBLIC CHARGE OFTEN LANDS WITH THE SELF-SUFFICIENCY PROGRAMS: MEDI-CAL, CALFRESH, CALWORKS WHICH HAVE FEDERAL FUNDING. UM, TO SORT OF LEVEL SET FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THESE WORDS MEAN, UM, PUBLIC CHARGE IS, IN ESSENCE, SOMETHING WHERE PEOPLE WHO GET CASH FROM FEDERAL TAXPAYERS MONEY COULD BE CONSIDERED A CHARGE TO THE PUBLIC, AND THAT COULD INTERFACE WITH SORT OF DEPORTATION ISSUES. BUT HISTORICALLY, MEDI-CAL, WHICH IS NOT CASH, HAS NOT BEEN CONSIDERED PART OF PUBLIC CHARGE. SO TRUMP1, AND TRUMP2 HAS CONSIDERED CHANGING PUBLIC CHARGE RULES. BUT SUPERVISOR DE SERPA, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY [01:30:03] WHAT I THINK THE BIGGER ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS. WHICH IS FOR DECADES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BEEN PROHIBITED FROM LOOKING AT MEDI-CAL AND CALFRESH DATA THAT CALIFORNIA COLLECTS FOR PURPOSES OF IMMIGRATION. AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS BREACHED THAT FIREWALL. SO THAT IS UNRELATED TO THE TECHNICAL ISSUE OF PUBLIC CHARGE BECAUSE THEY JUST, AS THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE, THEY JUST ROLL FORWARD AND THEY HAVE STARTED TO LOOK AT DATA THAT THEY HAVE HISTORICALLY FOR DECADES HAD ACCESS TO ALREADY WHICH IS WHEN SOMEBODY ENROLLS IN MEDI-CAL, MEDICAID, THEY HAVE THAT INFORMATION AND THEY HAVE SHARED IT WITH HOMELAND SECURITY AND ICE. SO THAT IS HAPPENING TODAY, UNRELATED TO THE TECHNICAL ISSUE OF CHANGES TO PUBLIC CHARGE RULES. - IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE TRYING TO ALSO INCLUDE DATA FROM COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS, HEAD START FAMILY PLANNING AND ADULT EDUCATION. SO IT'S, UH, A SORT OF A VAST CHANGE IN THE RULE THERE. AND THEY'RE EXPECTING, UM, THIS TO HAPPEN SOMETIME IN 2026. - AND HAPPY TO ENGAGE IN ANY FURTHER DIALOGUE ABOUT THE TECHNICAL ISSUES, BUT THE PRACTICE ISSUES IS THIS ADMINISTRATION ISN'T OFTEN FOLLOWING THE LAWS. - YEAH. OKAY, THANK YOU. - ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? SEEING NONE, I'LL NOW OPEN UP PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE FORM A LINE. UM, ADDITIONALLY, IF YOU HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN ON THIS ITEM DURING GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT, UM, THAT WAS YOUR ONE TIME TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC. WELCOME. - GOOD MORNING, UH, CHAIR MARTINEZ, SUPERVISORS, CEO COBURN, AND, UH, COUNTY STAFF. MY NAME IS FARIS SABBAH. I SERVE AS YOUR COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. I'M HEARING IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THE STEPS OUTLINED IN THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE, UM, AND, UH, ON THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES. THIS ACTION WILL HELP ENSURE THAT COUNTY PROPERTY IS NOT USED AS A STAGING AREA OR OPERATIONAL BASE FOR FEDERAL CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND TO PROTECT TRUST IN ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SERVICES. I ALSO WANNA SHARE THAT THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION RECENTLY PASSED A RESOLUTION PROHIBITING THE USE OF COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION FACILITIES, OUTDOOR SPACES AND PARKING AREAS FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, STAGING, PROCESSING, UH, OR OPERATIONS. OUR ACTION FOLLOWED SIMILAR STEPS TAKEN, UH, LOCALLY INCLUDING THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE AND CABRILLO COLLEGE. YOUR ORDINANCE WILL STRENGTHEN OUR COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY AND ENSURE THAT THE RESOURCES OF OUR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS ARE NOT USED IN WAYS TO CREATE FEAR, DISRUPT ACCESS, OR HARM FAMILIES. OUR RESIDENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO SEEK EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, PUBLIC SERVICES AND SUPPORT WITHOUT FEAR. I RESPECTFULLY URGE PASSAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE AND SUPPORT THE ACTION STEPS IDENTIFIED BY THE SHIELD SUBCOMMITTEE. AND THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH OUR COMMUNITY. - KEN REICHMAN, AGAIN, OF INDIVISIBLE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION TEAM. AND I, TOO, WANT TO, UH, URGE BOARD MEMBERS TO PASS THIS, UH, ORDINANCE. UM, OUR NEIGHBOR, SANTA CLARA COUNTY, WAS, UH, THE FIRST TO PUT TOGETHER A SOLID ORDINANCE, AND, UH, PREVENT THEIR, UH, BUILDINGS AND LAND FROM BEING USED BY ICE. UH, BUT THE CITIES OF WATSONVILLE, SAN JOSE, SAN FRANCISCO, OAKLAND, PINOLE, RICHMOND AND LOS ANGELES IS WORKING ON, UH, SUCH AN ORDINANCE, UH, SEE THE VALUE IN IT. AT THIS POINT, IT MAY BE SYMBOLIC, AND THAT, UH, IT'S VERY DIFFICULT TO ENFORCE, UH, THESE LAWS, UH, WITH THE GOVERNMENT TAKING PRECEDENT OVER STATE LAWS AND CITY LAWS. HOWEVER, UH, THE GOVERNOR, UH, WHO'S ALSO PASSED LAWS LIKE THE, UH, NO MASK LAW, UH, NO ICE AROUND SCHOOLS LAW. UH, THERE IS A, UH, COURT CASE, UH, THE TRUMP, UH, HAS INITIATED, UH, AND IT LOOKS LIKE, UH, THAT HE'S INITIATED TO, UH, HALT THESE LAWS. BUT IT LOOKS LIKE, UH, THERE'S GOING TO, UH, BE A NEW RULING ON THOSE LAWS AND THAT, UH, THE STATE LAW COULD BE ENFORCED. SO PLEASE, UH, DO PASS THIS ORDINANCE. - THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING, BECKY STEINBRUNNER. I SUPPORT THIS ACTION. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE, THE COMMITTEE IS WELL CONNECTED WITH DR. ANNE LOPEZ, THE CENTER FOR FARM WORKER FAMILIES. THAT LADY'S GOT HER, HER FINGER ON THE PULSE, AND, UH, THAT WILL BE A REALLY GOOD, UM, STAKEHOLDER TO INCLUDE. [01:35:03] I WANNA THANK YOU FOR HAVING SPANISH TRANSLATION ON THE SLIDES. I HAVE NEVER SEEN THAT HERE. THANK YOU. AND I ENCOURAGE THIS COUNTY TO ALSO PROVIDE, UM, TRANSLATION IN SPANISH WITHOUT HAVING TO ASK FOR IT FOR ALL MEETINGS. I WANNA SAY THAT, UM, THERE IS ANOTHER, UM, ISSUE THAT ALL OF THIS BRINGS ABOUT, AND THAT IS THE VU- INCREASED VULNERABILITY FOR WAGE THEFT THAT THE WORKERS ARE, UM, SUBJECT TO EXPERIENCING. THAT WAS ALREADY HAPPENING IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. AND YOU- THAT WAS BROUGHT OUT IN THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY GRAND JURY REPORT ON HUMAN TRAFFICKING. SO NOW THESE PEOPLE ARE EVEN MORE SUBJECT TO THAT, THAT ABUSE. SO PLEASE, UH, DO WHAT YOU CAN REGARDING THAT. AND MY FINAL COMMENT IS, AS A PARENT, I KNOW THE BEST THING TO DO TO PROTECT FAMILIES IS TO EDUCATE THEM AND TO HELP THEM BECOME LEGAL CITIZENS. LET'S NOT JUST PROTECT THESE PEOPLE. LET'S OFFER A FREE, STREAMLINED CITIZENSHIP, UM, COURSE THAT CAN BE DONE ONLINE OR IN PERSON. AND LET'S GET THEM TO BECOME CITIZENS SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE AFRAID ANYMORE. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - UH, BUENOS DIAS, UH, CHAIR AND BOARD, BERNIE GOMEZ WITH MILPA. UM, YEAH, JUST, UH, WANT TO, YOU KNOW, THANK THE, UH, THE BOARD AND THOSE INVOLVED IN, YOU KNOW, LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DEVELOP AND CREATE, UM, PROTECTIVE FACTORS, RIGHT? FOR OUR COMMUNITIES DURING THIS, UH... THIS... THIS, UH... YEAH, THIS TIME, RIGHT? THIS CURIOUS TIME THAT WE'RE IN. I DO WANNA SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT A NEW ISSUE FOR OUR COMMUNITIES, RIGHT? IT'S JUST, IT'S VERY UPFRONT NOW—OUT IN THE OPEN. UM, I'VE HEARD SOME FOLKS, YOU KNOW, TALK ABOUT THIS IS LIKE THE MOMENT, YOU KNOW, TO STAND UP AND- AND SPEAK YOUR VOICE, UM, AND DO OUR PART, YOU KNOW. AND THAT'S TRUE, BUT IT'S ALSO A TIME TO RECOGNIZE THAT, UM, THAT THE ORDINANCES OR POLICIES, UM, THOSE ARE GOOD, BUT THE IMPLEMENTATION FACTORS, THAT'S WHERE IT'S GONNA COUNT THE ACTUAL ACTION BEHIND THESE THINGS. AND- AND IT'S, I MEAN, THAT- AND THERE- IT'S A LOT- IT'S A LOT OF, UH, THE IMMIGRATION CYCLE IS JUST, IT'S PROBABLY ABOVE AND BEYOND LIKE THE SCOPE THAT, OF THE COUNTY CAN MAKE, RIGHT? OR CAN DO, MY BAD. UM, BUT WHAT I DO ASK, YOU KNOW, IS SUPPORT IT. TAKE IT TO WHATEVER LEVEL YOU NEED TO TAKE IT TO. UM, BUT ALSO ENCOURAGE CA- UH, CITIES, RIGHT? THAT ARE USING TECHNOLOGY THAT'S BEEN INFILTRATED BY ICE ALSO, JUST AS A FLOCK CAMERA AND STUFF LIKE THAT. YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN THAT THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ TERMINATED ITS CONTRACT BECAUSE OF IT, AND YET THE CITY OF WATSONVILLE, RIGHT? THAT HOLDS THE BIGGEST IMMIG- UH, IMMIGRANT POPULATION STILL HOLDS 'EM, RIGHT? AND IT'S JUST, THEY'VE BEEN EXACERBATED. THERE'S LIKE 30 CAMERAS IN THAT PLACE. SO THERE'S JUST THAT LITTLE- WE'RE DOING THIS, BUT CITIES ARE DOING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT, SO JUST MAYBE USING YOUR... - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - HI, UM, MY NAME IS JUDY KIRA AND I'M IN JUSTIN'S, UH, DISTRICT AND I, UM, VERY OLD, 88. AND, UM, I LISTEN TO THE RADIO, I DON'T GET MY INFORMATION FROM TELEVISION OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. SO, I REALLY APPRECIATE THE IN-DEPTH TEACHING THAT, UH, JUSTIN HAS DONE ON KSQD. IT'S WHERE I CAN GET A REALLY DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES LIKE DRILLING ON THE COAST THAT, UH, TRUMP IS ALLOWING. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I WISH YOU ALL WOULD JUST LIKE DO SOME IN-DEPTH TEACHING ON KSQD FOR US ELDERLY RADIO PEOPLE. [CHUCKLES] THANK YOU. - HELLO, MY NAME'S LORNA GRUNDMANN. I'M A RESIDENT OF LIVE OAK AREA AND I VOLUNTEER WITH YARR, YOUR, UH, AREA RAPID RESPONSE OR ALLIED RESPONSE GROUP. AND, UM, I'M SO IMPRESSED WITH THIS GROUP, AND THE WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO. UM, I WANNA ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO VOTE FOR, UM, ESTABLISHING A- A PROCESS IN THE COUNTY [01:40:03] THAT SHIELDS PEOPLE, AND THAT HELPS TO, UM, KEEP ICE OUT OF COUNTY PROPERTIES FOR, UM, STAGING WHAT THEY MIGHT BE PLANNING TO DO. I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO BACK UP WHAT WE'RE DOING OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITIES. UM, I'M PART OF THE LIVE OAK SCHOOL PATROL RIGHT NOW, AND I'VE ONLY GOTTEN POSITIVE RESPONSES FROM COMMUNITY MEMBERS, UM, LOTS OF THANK YOUS, LOTS OF HELLOS IN THE MORNINGS, AND WAVES FROM PEOPLE DRIVING BY. IT'S BEEN A REALLY GREAT, UM, AND ENCOURAGING PROCESS FOR ME PERSONALLY. AND SO, I'D LIKE TO, AGAIN, ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO SUPPORT THIS PROCESS AS WELL AS PROTECTING THE PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY FROM WHATEVER MIGHT BE COMING AT US NEXT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. - THANK YOU. SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN THE ROOM, MADAM CLERK, CAN YOU PLEASE CALL THE FIRST CALLER? - CERTAINLY. TIM, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - COOL. THANK YOU SO MUCH. UM, YES, I AM QUITE SUPPORTIVE OF ALL THE THINGS THAT, UH, ALL OF YOU HAVE SAID HERE REGARDING THESE MATTERS. AND, UH, SOME LITTLE THINGS THAT, YOU KNOW, IF THINGS GO DOWN THE DRAIN, YOU CAN ALWAYS POINT OUT TO THEM THAT, UH, RONALD REAGAN DID NOT BEHAVE LIKE THIS TO THIS EXTENT WITH REGARDS TO IMMIGRANTS. EVEN REAGAN UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE IN HIS NEGOTIATIONS WITH, UH, THE SOVIET UNION, UH, IN REGARDS TO IMMIGRANTS HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. YOU KNOW, THIS IS FOOD SUPPLY, AND CONSTRUCTION JOBS, AND A LOT OF ROUGH, DIRTY JOBS. ALL SORTS OF FUNDAMENTAL LOW INCOME OR JUST, AND, AND THEY'RE NOT ALWAYS LOW INCOME JOBS, BUT THEY'RE- THEY'RE CHALLENGING JOBS THAT IMMIGRANTS DO. SO YOU JUST GOT TO WONDER HERE, LIKE WITH THE IRANIAN WOMAN, FOR EXAMPLE, IF WE WERE TO LIKE, SAVE THEM AND BRING THEM TO THE UNITED STATES, WHAT WOULD THIS ADMINISTRATION DO? TURN AROUND AND DEPORT THEM? DO SOME SORT OF VICIOUS PRISON SYSTEM AROUND THE WORLD? I MEAN, THIS- THIS STUFF IS RIDICULOUS. YOU COULD ALSO POINT OUT TO THEM, IF NEED BE, UH, OF COURSE, THE GUY ON THE OTHER END OF THE PHONE HERE WOULD BE MUCH BETTER AT RUNNING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, THE FBI OR EVEN THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR. YOU COULD POINT OUT TO THEM THAT, WELL, TIM, AFTER ALL, WAS DROPPED OFF AT THAT ICE RINK THAT WE ALL KNOW WAS CALLED SQUALL VALLEY AS A CHILD BY HIS VIETNAM WAR BABYSITTER. AND, UH, YOU KNOW, THAT WILL CAUSE MR. PUTIN SOME REAL CONCERN. AND MAYBE WOULD GET EVERYBODY BACK TO THE BARGAINING TABLE, SERIOUS. SO, I LOOK AT THIS SITUATION WITH IMMIGRANTS AND WHAT ICE IS DOING, AND WHAT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS DOING IS ABSOLUTE GARBAGE. IT'S RIDICULOUS. IT'S UNPATRIOTIC, IT'S UN-AMERICAN. AND YES, THEY SHOULD GIVE THEM US CITIZENSHIP AND STOP THIS NONSENSE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU TAKE IT EASY. - CALLING USER 002, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - YEAH, GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JAMES EWING WHITMAN. I WOULD LIKE TO BE THERE IN PERSON, BUT I'M NOT. UM, I APPRECIATE THE- ALL THE COMMENTS. UH, PARTICULARLY, YOU KNOW, MR. HERNANDEZ SAYING THAT, YOU KNOW, ALL THE CRAZY THINGS THAT EVEN I HAVE SEEN ON TV ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT HAS GONE ON IN LIKE MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA. AND I LIKE ONE OF THE PREVIOUS SPEAKERS WHAT HE SAID, "IT'S A CURIOUS TIME THAT WE ARE IN." IT IS INDEED A CURIOUS TIME THAT WE ARE IN.   I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANYBODY THAT LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES CURRENTLY THAT WASN'T AN IMMIGRANT AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIFE. NOW, I THINK THAT THERE'S A LOT OF CONFUSION AND SOME IRREGULARITIES. I THINK THERE'S ABSOLUTELY SOME INCORRECT AND WRONG THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON WITH ICE. UM, I SUPPOSE MY CONCERN IS WITH THE SUPREMACY CLAUSE, UH, SUPREMACY CLAUSE, ARTICLE 5, CLAUSE 2: THE US CONSTITUTION ESTABLISHES THAT THE FEDERAL LAW TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER CONFLICTING STATE AND LOCAL LAWS. UM, FOR COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, THIS MEANS THAT WHILE THEY ARE PRIMARILY GOVERNED BY STATE LAW, THEY CANNOT TAKE ACTIONS THAT DIRECTLY CONFLICT WITH, OBSTRUCT, OR VIOLATE VALID FEDERAL LAWS AND CONSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS. NOW, EVERYTHING THAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR FROM WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID, UM, IT REALLY MAKES SENSE THAT, UM, ICE AGENTS SHOULDN'T BE AT SCHOOLS AND AT SOCIAL SERVICE LOCATIONS. ALL THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE. I SUPPOSE MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS THAT [01:45:01] THERE WERE A LOT OF IMMIGRANTS THAT CAME IN OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS THAT HAVE REALLY NASTY CRIMINAL RECORDS. AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT A LOT OF ICE AGENTS WORK IS TO PICK UP THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO'VE BEEN RELEASED FROM COUNTY JAILS AND TO DEPORT THEM. SO, THERE'S NOTHING THAT THIS BOARD HAS SAID THAT YOU'RE GONNA STOP THE ACTION TO GET THE DANGEROUS PEOPLE THAT ARE INCARCERATED TO NOT LET THEM BACK ON THE STREETS. SO, I THINK THIS SUBJECT, LIKE MANY SUBJECTS, IS REALLY IMPORTANT. - CALLING USER 1, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - THANK YOU FOR, UM, THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA, AND YOUR ADVOCACY FOR THE RIGHTS OF IMMIGRANTS AND EVERYBODY. WHAT WE'RE SEEING IS IN A CONTEXT OF FASCIST DICTATORSHIP. DICTATOR DONALD, TYRANT TRUMP. THE MONEY FOR THE MILITARY ABROAD- WARS ABROAD, ALSO MEANS WAR ON THE POOR AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY, AND THE MILITARY IS, IS ICE. IT'S BEING USED ON OUR COMMUNITIES THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN TO THIS EXTENT BEFORE. I APPLAUD WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE AND YOU ALSO, UH, SPOKE ABOUT, UH, WORKING WITH OTHER AGENCIES. AND I WONDER IF YOU HAVE IN YOUR, UM, TESTIMONY THERE, PAJARO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT RESOLUTION 25, 26 18, CONDEMNING IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT VIOLENCE AND AFFIRMING THE SAFETY AND DIGNITY AND STUDENTS AND FAMILIES. THIS WAS BROUGHT FORTH BY TRUSTEE GABRIEL MEDINA AND PASSED ON JANUARY 14TH. AND WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST IT'S LIKE, OH, EVERYTHING YOU STATED HERE IS EXCELLENT. BUT WHEN ICE AGENTS ARE BREAKING INDOORS AND ARRESTING PEOPLE AND KILLING THEM, HOW- WHAT ENFORCEMENT DO WE HAVE... - THANK YOU. - ...TO COUNTER... - LINDA. YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - CAN YOU HEAR ME? - YES, WE CAN. - GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LINDA TURPEN. I URGE THE BOARD TO APPROVE THE SHIELD ORDINANCE. IT'S THE FIRST OF MANY OTHER ACTIONS THE BOARD SHOULD TAKE TO PROTECT FAMILIES, CHILDREN, AND INDIVIDUALS. THIS IS ONE OF THE TANGIBLE THINGS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN DO TO HELP PROTECT ITS RESIDENTS. AND BY DOING SO, GIVES ALL RESIDENTS SAFE ACCESS TO COUNTY FACILITIES AND SERVICES KNOWING THERE WILL NOT BE ICE PRESENCE. ONE ISSUE THAT SOME SPEAKERS HAVE BROUGHT UP THAT STILL NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED IS HOW WILL THE COUNTY ENFORCE THIS ORDINANCE IF ICE VIOLATES IT? FOR EXAMPLE, WHAT IF ICE AGENTS SHOW UP AT A COUNTY HEALTH FACILITY OR THE COURTHOUSE, AND REFUSE TO LEAVE. WHEN SOMEONE CALLS 911, AND REPORTS THAT ICE IS THERE VIOLATING THE LAW, WILL COUNTY SHERIFFS COME TO THE SCENE TO ENFORCE THE LAW AND PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS? WHAT SPECIFIC ACTIONS WILL THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TAKE IN THAT OR SIMILAR SITUATIONS? THANK YOU. - THANK YOU - TONY, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - THANK YOU. UH, CAN YOU HEAR ME? - YES, WE CAN. - THANK YOU. UH, WELL FIRST OFF, GOOD MORNING, UH, CHAIR MARTINEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS TONY NUÑEZ. I'M THE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR AT COMMUNITY BRIDGES, AND I SERVE ON THE STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION COALITION, WHERE I ALSO SERVE AS CHAIR OF THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ESTABLISHING THE SHIELD AD HOC COMMITTEE AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF COORDINATED LOCAL LEADERSHIP AT THIS MOMENT. I ESPECIALLY WANT TO THANK CHAIR, UH, MARTINEZ FOR MOVING QUICKLY TO ESTABLISH THIS COMMITTEE [01:50:02] AND FOR JOINING OUR COM- OUR, UH, WORK GROUP, OUR COMMUNICATIONS WORK GROUP MEETING IN FEBRUARY. YOUR PRESENCE, UH, AND YOUR STAFF'S PRESENCE SIGNALED THE COUNTY IS READY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. OUR COALITION HAS BEEN MEETING MONTHLY SINCE EARLY 2025. DURING THAT TIME, WE WORKED TOGETHER TO SUPPORT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY THROUGH OUTREACH AROUND MEDI-CAL CHANGES, CHILDCARE SAFETY, PLANNING, AND COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTY'S RAPID RESPONSE NETWORK, YARR, AS MANY OF YOU KNOW. WE HAVE ALSO ENGAGED DIRECTLY WITH LOCAL BUSINESSES TO HELP ENSURE ACCURATE INFORMATION REACHES PEOPLE WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK. IF YOU WALK THROUGH DOWNTOWN WATSONVILLE TODAY, YOU'LL SEE MANY BUSINESSES DISPLAYING COALITION MATERIALS ON THEIR DOORS AND INSIDE THEIR SHOPS. THAT VISIBILITY REFLECTS A STRONG- STRONG TRUST IN RELATIONSHIP THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES HAVE BUILT TOGETHER OVER THE LAST YEAR. OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE, TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE IS ROOTED IN POWER AND NOT PANIC, THAT MAY SHARE ACCURATE INFORMATION, PROVIDING RESOURCES IN PEOPLE'S LANGUAGE AND WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH COUNTY STAFF TO REACH RESIDENTS EFFECTIVELY. THE COALITION RECENTLY SENT THE LETTER OUTLINING RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW WE CAN STRENGTHEN COORDINATION MOVING FORWARD. WE HOPE THAT THE NEW RE- UH, RENEWED SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP FROM CHAIR MARTINEZ THROUGH THE SHIELD AD HOC COMMITTEE WILL CONTINUE TO EXPAND ON THIS GREAT WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON WITH THE, UM, COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ AND OUR OTHER PARTNERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR COMMUNITY. - THANK YOU. - PAULINA, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING. UH, CAN YOU HEAR ME? - YES. - OKAY. THANK YOU. UH, GOOD MORNING, CHAIR AND SUPERVISORS. UH, PAULINA MORENO WITH CAB AND, UH, CO-CHAIR OF THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION COALITION STEERING COMMITTEE. I JUST, UH, WANNA EXTEND MY GRATITUDE, UH, FOR THE UPDATE, UH, ON THE SHIELD EFFORT AND FOR OUTLINING THESE PRIORITIES. YOU KNOW, THE FOCUS ON INTERNAL READINESS AND TRAINING FOR COUNTY STAFF, COORDINATION WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, REGIONAL ALIGNMENT, AND MONITORING THE IMPACTS OF PUBLIC BENEFITS ARE ALL IMPORTANT STEPS. UM, I WANNA EXPRESS MY, MY SUPPORT, UH, OUR COLLECTIVE SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROHIBITING THE USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. I THINK POLICIES LIKE THIS REALLY HELP REINFORCE THAT COUNTY SPACES SHOULD REMAIN PLACES WHERE RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS SERVICES WITHOUT FEAR. UM, AS YOU'VE ALL MENTIONED, AND FROM WHAT WE SEE ON THE GROUND, UH, FEAR AND CONFUSION AROUND ENFORCEMENT ARE ALREADY AFFECTING HOW FAMILIES INTERACT WITH PUBLIC SYSTEMS. AS YOU KNOW, FAMILIES ARE DELAYING MEDICAL CARE, HESITATING TO APPLY FOR BENEFITS THEIR CHILDREN QUALIFY FOR, AND WITHDRAWING FROM PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THEIR WELLBEING. MONITORING THESE TRENDS WILL BE CRITICAL, BUT SO WILL RESPONDING QUICKLY WHEN WE SEE THOSE IMPACTS. AS YOU MOVE THIS WORK FORWARD, WE ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO CONTINUE WORKING CLOSELY WITH TRUSTED COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE ALREADY IN RELATIONSHIP WITH IMPACTED FAMILIES AND WHO CAN HELP INFORM OUTREACH MESSAGING AND RESPONSE STRATEGIES. WE ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT THIS EFFORT IS SUPPORTED WITH THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO TRANSLATE THESE PRIORITIES INTO ACTION. WE APPRECIATE THE DIRECTION THE COUNTY'S TAKING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK TOGETHER TO ENSURE THAT ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS CAN ACCESS SERVICES AND LIVE WITH DIGNITY AND SAFETY. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - RAMON, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - CHAIR, UH, AND MEMBERS OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, MY NAME'S RAY CANCINO, THE CEO OF COMMUNITY BRIDGES. UH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN ADVANCING CALIFORNIA- OR THE SHIELD PROTECTIONS FOR RECOGNIZING THE MOMENT WE ARE AND REQUIRES BOTH COURAGE AND CREATIVITY. ACROSS THE COUNTRY, WE'RE SEEING DEEPLY TROUBLING TRENDS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MODERN HISTORY. MORE AND MORE IMMIGRANTS ARE DETAINED WITHOUT A CRIMINAL RECORD THAN THOSE WITH ONE. WE HAVE WITNESSED US CITIZENS MISTAKENLY ARRESTED AND DETAINED HIGHLIGHTING HOW BROAD ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS CAN SWEEP UP PEOPLE WHO SHOULD NEVER BE CAUGHT UP IN THE SYSTEM. THAT REQUIRES STATES AND COUNTIES, UM, LIKE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY TO THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT HOW WE PROTECT DUE PROCESS, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND COMMUNITY STABILITY, WHILE REMAINING WITHIN OUR LEGAL AUTHORITY. ONE TOOL I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND YOU CONSIDERING FOR PART OF YOUR POLICY TODAY IS CIVIL, CIVIL REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS OR CIVIL INFRACTIONS. CIVIL SYSTEMS ALLOW STATES TO ENFORCE THEIR PRIORITIES, PUBLIC SAFETY, WORK PROTECTION, AND WELLBEING, IN PARTICULARLY BY FINES OR SOME OTHER, UM, MECHANISM TO ENHANCE, UM, PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY INSTEAD OF UNDER THE COVER OF LAW. BY STRENGTHENING CIVIL ENFORCEMENT APPROACHES THOUGHTFULLY, REGULATORY STRATEGIES, WE CAN CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THE RULE OF LAW WHILE PROTECTING FAMILIES AND ENSURING THAT SUCH ENFORCEMENT IS ACTUALLY POSSIBLE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY. AGAIN, WE'D LIKE TO, TO THANK YOU AS A SUBCOMMITTEE, AS WELL AS EVERYONE ON THE BOARD FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AROUND THESE MEASURES AND THE SUPPORT, [01:55:01] UH, FOR THE SANTA CRUZ IMMIGRATION, UH, COALITION AND IT WOULD BE REMISS WITHOUT, UH, ACKNOWLEDGING SOME OF THE FUNDERS THAT HAVE ACTUALLY SUPPORTED THAT WORK IN THE LAST YEAR, WHICH IS THE, UM, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. SO WITHOUT THEIR WORK, WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GO TO ALL THESE DIFFERENT, UM, LOCATIONS AND STORES AND COMMUNICATE OUT AND PAY FOR SOCIAL MEDIA AND TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY. SO WITHOUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LIKE, UM, ON- ON THESE CALLS AS WELL AS THOSE DONATED TO THE FOUNDATION, UH, THIS WORK WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE. SO THANK YOU AGAIN, AND WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU AND SUPPORT ALL THE ACTIONS, UH, THAT SHIELD WILL COME FORWARD. - THANK YOU. - CASEY, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - GOOD MORNING, CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS. MY NAME IS CASEY VAN DEN HEUVEL, AND I SERVE AS PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE MONTEREY SANTA CRUZ BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES COUNCIL. I WANNA THANK THE BOARD FOR TAKING ACTION TO ENSURE THAT COUNTY FACILITIES ARE NOT USED TO SUPPORT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS. THE REALITY IS, IS THAT THE CURRENT CLIMATE AROUND IMMIGRATION HAS CREATED A SIGNIFICANT FEAR WITH OUR WORKFORCE, ESPECIALLY IN INDUSTRIES IN CONSTRUCTION. WHEN WORKERS ARE AFRAID, THEY BECOME LESS LIKELY TO REPORT SERIOUS ISSUES, SUCH AS WAGE THEFT, UNSAFE JOB SITES, OR LABOR LAW VIOLATIONS. AND UNFORTUNATELY, BAD ACTORS IN OUR INDUSTRY KNOW THIS. THEY EXPLOIT THAT FEAR TO UNDERPAY WORKERS, IGNORE SAFETY STANDARDS AND UNDERCUT RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTORS WHO FOLLOW THE LAW. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE BUILDING TRADES, THIS IS NOT JUST AN IMMIGRATION ISSUE. IT IS A WORKER PROTECTION ISSUE. WHEN WORKERS BELIEVE THAT THEY COULD SPEAK UP COULD LEAD TO CONSEQUENCES, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM OF LABOR STANDARDS BREAKS DOWN. THAT HARMS WORKERS, IT HARMS HONEST CONTRACTORS, AND IT HARMS THE LOCAL ECONOMY. POLICIES LIKE THIS YOU PASS TODAY, HELP CREATE AN IMPORTANT LEVEL OF TRUST. THEY SIGNAL THAT ONLY- THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND FACILITIES WILL NOT BE USED IN A WAY THAT INTIMIDATES WORKERS WHO ARE SIMPLY TRYING TO EARN A LIVING, AND PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES. WE ALL BENEFIT WHEN WORKERS FEEL SAFE IN REPORTING VIOLATIONS AND WHEN RULES OF THE INDUSTRY ARE FAIRLY ENFORCED THAT HELPS PROTECT WAGES, AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ISSUE. - THANK YOU. - FERNANDA, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HELLO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. IT'S, UH, IT'S, IT'S REALLY GREAT. I'M VERY GRATEFUL. UM, UH, I WANT JUST TO TALK ABOUT, VERY QUICKLY, ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WE NEVER HEAR OF AND IT'S THE TRAUMA THAT PEOPLE LIVE, THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH WHEN THEY BECOME IMMIGRANTS, WHEN THEY BECOME REFUGEES, WHEN THEY BECOME ASYLUM SEEKERS. SO THEY'RE- THEY'RE RUNNING AWAY FROM AWFUL THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN THEIR COUNTRIES. SO, UM, THIS PAST WEEKEND, I WAS A, UM, TRANSLATOR FOR A CLINIC, AND FOR HELPING PEOPLE FILL IN THEIR IMMIGRATION FORMS. AND SOMEBODY ASKED ME TO TALK TO A GIRL. JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT I'M STILL SHOCKED—I'M PROCESSING WHAT SHE HAS GONE THROUGH IN, UM, IN-IN MICHOACÁN BECAUSE OF THE DRUG DEALERS. SHE WAS, UH, SHE AND HER SISTERS, SISTER WERE RAPED EVERY DAY, TAKEN AWAY FROM THEIR HOME AT NIGHT AND BRING- BROUGHT BACK THE OTHER DAY FOR YEARS. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE SEEKING, UH, TO LIVE A SAFER LIFE HERE, AND ARE THOSE THE PEOPLE THAT, UM, ARE BEING DEPORTED. I THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT ALL THIS WORK THAT WE ARE ALL DOING, UM, HELP US HAVE A SAFER AND DIGNIFIED PLACE FOR- FOR EVERYBODY. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - CHAIR, I SEE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE. - THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. I'LL NOW RETURN TO THE BOARD FOR UM, ACTION ON THE ITEM. SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. - I'D LIKE TO APPROVE, ACCEPT, AND FILE THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE AD HOC BOARD SUBCOMMITTEE TO APPROVE IN CONCEPT THE ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ADDING CHAPTERS 10.07 TO THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CODE TO PROHIBIT USE OF COUNTY PROPERTY FOR CIVIL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT AND TAKE ALL RELATED ACTIONS. - I'LL SECOND. - WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? [02:00:02] - YEAH. - SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - SURE. JUST TO THANK YOU, UH, CHAIR AND SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. I MEAN, THERE'S, UH, I WISH THAT WE COULD DO A LOT MORE. UH, BUT THIS IS ONE THING, ONE CONCRETE STEP THAT WE CAN TAKE, UH, IT FOLLOWS IN LINE WITH THE- THE ACTION THAT, UM, OUR SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS CALLED OUT THAT IS ALREADY BEING TAKEN, UM, FOR SCHOOL PROPERTY, FOR SOME OF THE OTHER CITIES IN THE COUNTY. UM, AND SO IT JUST MAKES SENSE TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS WHEN THEY'RE, UM, OR, OR REALLY EVERYONE WHO'S TRYING TO ACCESS PUBLIC SERVICES WHETHER THAT'S EDUCATION, HEALTHCARE, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THE COUNTY. SO, THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - UH, THANK YOU, CHAIR. I HAD SOME- I HAD ONE MORE QUESTION AND A COUPLE COMMENTS I WANTED TO MAKE. UM, I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF- IF THERE'S A PLAN FOR SIGNERS TO BE POSTED ON LOCATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY WHERE, YOU KNOW, THIS WILL, THIS TYPE OF ACTIVITY WILL BE PROHIBITED. - YEAH. CEO COBURN. - YEAH. SO, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, WE'RE GENERATING A LIST OF ALL COUNTY LAND PROPERTIES AND THEN WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT MIGHT MAKE SENSE TO PUT UP A SIGN, GIVEN THE COST OF SIGNAGE. SO, WE'RE DOING THAT RIGHT NOW. AND, UM, WE CAN BRING A REPORT BACK TO YOU WITH THAT INFORMATION. - THANKS. UM, I GUESS I HAD A COUPLE COMMENTS REAL QUICK. UM, ONE CONCERN I HAVE, AND I GUESS MAYBE THIS IS GONNA BE A QUESTION TOO. DO WE HAVE- DOES THE CITY OF SANTA CRUZ, CAPITOLA, AND SCOTTS VALLEY HAVE A SIMILAR POLICY CURRENTLY? I KNOW Y'ALL MENTIONED WATSONVILLE. SO, I GUESS ONE RECOMMENDATION, MAYBE THIS COULD BE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, UM, WOULD JUST ASK THAT WE SEND A LETTER TO LOCAL JURISDICTIONS ABOUT THE ADOPTION OF THIS POLICY. ONE OF THE THINGS, UM, BACK IN COVID, AFTER THE MURDER OF GEORGE FLOYD, THE PEOPLE WERE REALLY CONCERNED WITH- WITH THE CONSISTENCY OF POLICIES ACROSS DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS. AND GIVEN THAT PEOPLE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW WHERE LINES ARE DRAWN, UM, IN TERMS OF THE BORDERS OF THE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, JUST TRYING TO ENCOURAGE, UM, YOU KNOW, OTHER CITIES IN THE COUNTY AND THE ADJACENT COUNTIES, UM, TO PURSUE SIMILAR, UM, ORDINANCES SO THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT THIS IS A CONSISTENT POLICY ACROSS THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS. OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, REQUIRE THEM TO DO SOMETHING, BUT TRYING TO ENCOURAGE OTHER FOLKS TO DO, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PLAY A PROACTIVE ROLE. AND SO, I'D LIKE TO ADD SOME LANGUAGE AROUND THAT, IF THAT'S AMENABLE TO THE MOTION MAKER. UM, WHEN THE POLICIES ARE MADE FOR THE, THE STAFF MEMBERS IN TERMS OF HOW TO ENGAGE, I THINK IT'D BE GREAT TO HAVE A PRESENTATION ON THAT. I MEAN, THE FACT THAT WE HAVE RESOURCES TO EXPLORE WHAT THOSE TYPES OF, UM, THAT TYPE OF INTERACTION CAN BE, YOU KNOW, HAVING EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOLKS IN THE PUBLIC TO KNOW HOW THEY SHOULD ENGAGE, I THINK WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. AS A DELEGATE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, RECENTLY AT THE CONVENTION THAT WE JUST HAD, UM, THERE WAS A SESSION PRESENTED BY MARIN COUNTY'S PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE ON HOW TO ENGAGE WITH ICE OFFICIALS. AND IT WAS REALLY HELPFUL TO HEAR THINGS LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF SOMEBODY'S ASKING YOU TO MOVE BACK, YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY MOVE BACK. 'CAUSE THROUGH THAT VIDEO, IF YOU'RE, IF YOU'RE FILMING SOMEONE, AND THEY'RE ASKING YOU TO MOVE BACK TO, UM, ABIDE BY WHAT THE OFFICERS ARE SAYING. BECAUSE IN DOING SO, IF THERE'S A COURT CASE, YOU CAN SHOW THAT YOU WERE IN COMPLIANCE, OR IF THEY TRY TO ARREST YOU ILLEGALLY, YOU CAN SHOW AND YOU HAVE EVIDENCE THAT YOU'RE IN COMPLIANCE. THEY ALSO MENTION MAKING SURE THAT YOU DON'T EDIT YOUR FILM BECAUSE IF YOU EDIT IT, IT SEEMS IT CAN BE CONSIDERED TAMPERING WITH EVIDENCE. AND SO, I THINK THAT THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S- THERE'S INFORMATION OUT THERE THAT I THINK WILL BE REALLY HELPFUL TO PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST OUR STAFF. SO WHEN THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS COME FORWARD FOR HOW STAFF SHOULD ENGAGE WITH ICE AGENTS, I THINK IT MAY BE GOOD FOR US TO CONSIDER HAVING A PUBLIC, UM, PRESENTATION OR PUBLIC, UH, FORUM ON THAT FOR FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY. UM, LAST, I DO JUST WANT TO ALSO EMPHASIZE THE CONCERN. I MEAN, I THINK WHAT'S GREAT ABOUT THIS ORDINANCE IS THAT IT'S REALLY FOCUSING ON ICE BEING IN THE COUNTY PROPERTY. UM, UM, BUT I DO HAVE SOME CONCERN WITH, YOU KNOW, UM, NOT JUST IMMIGRANTS, BUT YOU KNOW, THE FACT THAT ICE IS ACTUALLY ABDUCTING US CITIZENS. AND SO REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE COVERING EVERYONE, UM, AND THE CONCERNS AROUND EVERYBODY BEING TARGETED BY ICE. AND THEN LASTLY, UM, IT MIGHT BE WORTH, THE SUBCOMMITTEE ALSO EXPLORING, AN ORDINANCE OR POLICY REQUIRING DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AGENTS TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION WHEN ASKED BY BOTH CITIZENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. UM, IT'S GONNA BE REALLY HARD TO FIND PEOPLE IF THEY'RE NOT WILLING TO TELL YOU WHO THEY ARE. AND SO, UM, JUST, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS POLICY, YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT PENALTIES IN TERMS OF THOUSAND DOLLAR, $10,000 FINES, CAN WE ALSO HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE THAT SAYS IF THE HOME- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AGENT DOESN'T PROVIDE THEIR IDENTIFICATION, THEN THERE'S ALSO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ENFORCEMENT ON THAT, TOO. AND SO, THAT'S SOMETHING I'D LIKE TO INCLUDE BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IT REALLY HELPS STRENGTHEN OUR ABILITY TO FIND OUT WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE AND HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS. AND SO, I'M HAPPY TO MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, UM, THAT ASKS THE CHAIR, ON BEHALF OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, AND THE BOARD TO SEND A LETTER TO LOCAL JURISDICTIONS, AND ADJACENT COUNTIES THAT HAVE NOT ADOPTED ORDINANCES, ENCOURAGING THEM TO ADOPT SIMILAR ORDINANCES, AND PROVIDE OURS AS AN EXAMPLE, SO THERE'S CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE REGION. [02:05:03] AND ASK THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE EXPLORE AN ORDINANCE OR POLICY REQUIRING THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AGENTS TO PROVIDE IDENTIFICATION WHEN ASKED BY CITIZENS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, UM... AND IN- IN RETURN WITH, UM, WHAT TYPE OF POLICY THAT COULD BE, AND THE PENALTIES. AND SO, I'M JUST WANTING TO ASK IF THE MAKER OF THE MOTION IS AMENABLE TO THAT. - UH, REALLY QUICK, YOU KNOW, WITH THE... WITH THE GOVERNMENTAL WORK, UH, COMPONENT OF, OF THE AD HOC, WE ARE LOOKING INTO HAVING THE REST OF THE CITIES, UH, WITHIN OUR COUNTY PARTICIPATE IN SORT OF THESE COORDINATED EFFORTS THAT WE'RE TAKING. IT'S PART OF THE GOAL OF BAY AREA BELONG- BELONGS TO, FOR THEM TO, UH, FOR OTHER COUNTIES TO PARTICIPATE, AND TO BE A KIND OF A COORDINATED EFFORT AMONGST THE BAY AREA, THE GREATER BAY AREA, INCLUDING US. BUT WE WILL CONTACT, UH, DEFINITELY CONTACT OUR LOCAL MAYORS AND CITY MANAGERS TO DO THAT EFFORT. UH, I, I LIKE THE POINT OF THE EDUCATIONAL, UH, FORUMS AS WELL. UH, WE DISCUSSED HAVING, UH, EDUCATIONAL FORUMS FOR EMPLOYERS BUT I THINK THE GENERAL PUBLIC WILL ALSO NEED THESE, UH, EDUCATIONAL FORUMS, AND WITH THE ID, UH, YOU KNOW, THE POLICY, UH, AROUND FOCUSED ON IDENTIFICATION, I THINK THAT'S A GOOD SECOND STEP FOR THIS AD HOC COMMITTEE. - SO, IS THAT A YES? - WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION. DO YOU ACCEPT THAT? YOU MADE THE MOTION. - WELL, I'LL ACCEPT IT. - OKAY. AND HOW ABOUT THE SECOND, WAIT, WHO MADE THE SECOND? - I SECONDED THE MOTION. - OKAY. YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT? - I JUST WANNA ASK, FOR THE THIRD ONE, ARE- CAN WE DO THAT? OR ARE WE GONNA NEED ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE FOR THAT? - WELL, THAT'S WHAT WE'LL EXPLORE OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS. - OKAY. PERFECT. - YEAH. - YEAH. SO, MY COMMENTS, UM, THANK YOU FOR THE ADDITIONAL DIRECTION. I THINK THAT MUCH LIKE THE SUBCOMMITTEE DID WITH THE COUNTY FACILITIES POLICY, UM, WE WILL LOOK TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE. UM, WE WILL REVIEW FOR REALLY LEGALLY WHAT IS POSSIBLE, UM, WITH OUR COUNTY COUNCIL'S OFFICE, AND THEN, UM, COME BACK TO THE BOARD WITH WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AFTER WE EXPLORE THAT. UM, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? SO, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. - UH, SORRY. - SUPERVISOR DE SERPA, ONE MORE COMMENT? - QUICK COMMENT. UM, I REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT, UH, LEGAL AID, UH, IN OUR COUNTY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEALING WITH IMMIGRATION ISSUES. I KNOW THE WATSONVILLE LAW CENTER AND THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY IMMIGRATION PROJECT IS SORT OF FRONT- AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES, TO SOME EXTENT FRONTLINE, UH, IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO HELP OUR, UM, CITIZENS OF OUR COUNTY THAT HAVE TO DEAL WITH, UM, THE UNFORTUNATE AFTER-EFFECTS OF ICE, ET CETERA. I WANNA THANK, UM, MY COLLEAGUES WHO STARTED THE CHILD SAFETY PLANNING, UM, DURING THE FIRST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, MY COLLEAGUES IN THE PAJARO VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS WELL AS DOUG KEEGAN AND MANY OTHER LOCAL ATTORNEYS WHO HAVE, UM, GIVEN, UH, MANY HOURS OF THEIR TIME AND INCLUDING THE NEW VERSIONS, UM, THAT ARE IN PLACE SHOULD PARENTS AND CHILDREN BE SEPARATED. UM, AND FOR PEOPLE WHO... UM, ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC CHARGE ISSUES, I DO FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO BRING THAT BACK AND TALK MORE ABOUT IT. THERE ARE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE SHADOWS WHO ARE NOT ACCESSING, UM, THE CARE THAT THEY NEED. UM, AND WE DO HAVE, UM, SOME ALTERNATIVES. AND I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW WE COULD MAYBE GET MORE INFORMATION OUT TO THEM ABOUT WHAT THE ALTERNATIVES ARE IN MANY DIFFERENT AREAS, INCLUDING FOOD AND NUTRITION, HEALTHCARE, ET CETERA, FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE, UM, NOT COMFORTABLE, UM, ACCEPTING, UM, PUBLIC SERVICES. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? - SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. - AYE. - KOENIG. - AYE. - HERNANDEZ. - AYE. - CUMMINGS. - AYE. - AND MARTINEZ. - AYE. MOTION PASSES, FIVE TO ZERO. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ, FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THAT. - THANK YOU. [8. Consider report and presentation on Secure Youth Treatment Facility/Camp savings and community-based diversion and support services in Fiscal Year 2025-26] - SO WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO ITEM 8 OF THE REGULAR AGENDA, WHICH IS TO CONSIDER A REPORT AND PRESENTATION ON SECURE YOUTH TREATMENT FACILITY/CAMP SAVINGS IN COMMUNITY-BASED DIVERSION AND SUPPORT SERVICES IN FISCAL YEAR 2025-26. AND I BELIEVE WE'RE RECEIVING A REPORT FROM OUR- LET'S SEE, I HAVE YOU HERE, FROM OUR NEW CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER, MS. MENDEZ. [02:10:06] WELCOME. - THANK YOU FOR THE WELCOME. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WELCOME. OH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, CHIEF MARTINEZ, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, AND CEO COBURN. I AM SANDRA MENDEZ, YOUR CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER. I'M HERE WITH MY TEAM, INCLUDING OUR FORMER DEP, UH, DEPARTMENTAL FISCAL OFFICER, JUSTIN NUÑEZ. UH, TODAY WE'RE PROVIDING A MID-YEAR UPDATE ON OUR SECURE YOUTH TREATMENT FACILITY, SYTF, AND CAMP SAVINGS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-26. SO, OUR REPORT ON OUR SECURED YOUTH TREATMENT FACILITY SAVINGS IN FISCAL YEAR 25-26. THIS PRESENTATION SUMMARIZES OUR PROJECTED SAVINGS, OUR MID-YEAR BUDGET POSITION REGARDING THESE FUNDS, AND HOW WE PLAN TO REINVEST FISCAL YEAR 25-26 SAVINGS. THESE INVESTMENTS ARE ALREADY UNDERWAY AND SHAPED BY OPERATIONAL NEEDS, ALONG WITH YOUTH AND FAMILIES FEEDBACK, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY INPUT. SO, OUR ESTIMATED REINVESTMENT FROM PROJECTED SAVINGS. WE INITIALLY PROJECTED 300,000 IN GENERAL FUND SAVINGS FROM THE CAMP PROGRAM, LATER AND UNANTICIPATED THIRD YOUTH WAS COMMITTED TO SONOMA COUNTY RESULTING IN 140,000 GENERAL FUND COST. THIS ADJUSTMENT LEAVES APPROXIMATELY 160,000 AVAILABLE FOR REINVESTMENT. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THESE NUMBERS MAY SHIFT DEPENDING ON FUTURE COURT DECISIONS, EARLY RELEASES, OR NEW COMMITMENTS. SO OUR ESTIMATED SAVINGS FROM PROVIDING SYTF CAMP LOCALLY AND REDUCING OUT-OF-HOME COUNTY PLACEMENTS. WE REINVESTED LOCALLY TO DIRECTLY SUPPORT SYTF AND IN FUTURE CAMP YOUTH. SOME FUNDS SPENT TO DATE ARE SERVICES OR COSTS THAT HAVE ALREADY DRAWN DOWN FROM THE SAVINGS ALONG WITH PLANNED SERVICES AND CONTRACTS NOT YET SPENT BUT ALLOCATED. THESE SERVICES ARE SCHEDULED TO BEGIN LATER IN THE YEAR AND THE MONEY IS RESERVED. I WANT TO PROVIDE MORE CONTEXT BEHIND THE OUTER COUNTY PLACEMENT COST SAVINGS NUMBERS AND HIGHLIGHT A FEW KEY POINTS. THE 160,000 WAS A SNAPSHOT IN TIME. KEY COST DRIVERS INCLUDE A SHORT TERM CAMP PLACEMENT ORDERED UNEXPECTEDLY BY THE COURT. WE ARE STILL BUDGETING SV 823 FUNDS FOR OUT-OF-COUNTY'S YOUTH IN SONOMA COUNTY, THREE YOUTH INCLUDING ONE UNANTICIPATED COMMITMENT IN MARCH OF 2025. SO, OUR PLAN IS TO OPEN OUR FACILITY TO HOUSE OUT-OF-COUNTY YOUTH AND CHARGE SIMILAR FEES FOR SYTF AND CAMP TO GENERATE REVENUE. HOWEVER, WE HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED OUR FEE SCHEDULE FOR THESE SERVICES. WE CAN SHARE A COMPARISON HAVING A YOUNG PERSON ORDER TO CAMP IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY COST $554 PER DAY WHICH AVERAGES $199,440 PER YEAR. AND THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS 6 TO 12 MONTHS IN CAMP. ADDITIONALLY, HAVING A YOUNG PERSON IN SONOMA COUNTY SYTF PROGRAM IS $390 PER DAY, WHICH AVERAGES 140,400 PER YEAR. WE CURRENTLY HAVE THREE YOUTH IN SONOMA COUNTY COSTING ANNUALLY 421,200. AND THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS THREE TO FIVE YEARS. WE HAVE A DUTY AND OBLIGATION TO MAINTAIN OUR YOUTH CLOSE TO HOME WITH A HOPE OF FAMILY REUNIFICATION AND OTHER LOCAL, LOCAL SUPPORTIVE SERVICES ALONG WITH SUCCESSFUL REENTRY. WE HAVE AN AMAZING TEAM IN OUR FACILITY WHO PRIDE THEMSELVES IN EQUITY AND INCLUSIVITY. WE DO IT BEST, SO LET'S REINVEST IN OUR OWN AND HELP OTHERS AS THEY HELPED US IN THE PAST. SO INVESTING FISCAL YEAR 25-26 SAVINGS, 160,000, UM, THROUGH DIVERSION AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THESE INVESTMENT AREAS WERE SHAPED BY INPUT FROM YOUTH, FAMILIES, AND STAKEHOLDERS. SO WE HAVE DIVERSION IN MULTIPLE FORMS. SERVICES THAT OFFER REENTRY ALTERNATIVES ALIGN WITH SAFETY RESTORATION, AND OPPORTUNITY AND REDUCING RECIDIVISM. CULTURALLY CENTERED YOUTH VOICE AND RESTORATION, PROGRAMS THAT ELEVATE YOUTH PERSPECTIVES, AND ENSURE CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS, HEALING AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOCUSED RESPONSES ROOTED IN EQUITY AND DIGNITY. YOUTH AND FAMILY SUPPORT. [02:15:01] WE ARE BRIDGING THE GAP WHERE CURRENT FUNDING STRUCTURES LEAVE FAMILIES BEHIND, AND REHABILITATION AND REENTRY, SUPPORTS THAT BEGIN IN CUSTODY AND EXTEND INTO THE COMMUNITY. REINTEGRATION EFFORTS THAT INCLUDE SKILL BUILDING, MENTORSHIP AND STABILITY SERVICES. AS A REMINDER, BETWEEN LATE SUMMER AND FALL 2025, PROBATION CONDUCTED NINE OUTREACH MEETINGS WITH 11 COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S, OFFICE COURTS, JUVENILE JUSTICE, DELINQUENCY PREVENTION, COMMISSION, AND WITH PROBATION STAFF, ALONG WITH A SURVEY OF MORE THAN 30 RESPONDENTS. THE FOCUS REMAINS DIVERSION, RESTORATIVE PRACTICES, FAMILY-CENTERED SUPPORT, AND REENTRY SERVICES THAT REDUCE RECIDIVISM AND EXPAND OPPORTUNITY. SO, GUITAR LESSONS. HERE WE HAVE OUR YOUTH IN ONE OF OUR VERY POPULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT WE OFFER IN OUR FACILITY. OUR YOUNG PERSON SPECIFICALLY ASKED FOR GUITAR LESSONS AS A CREATIVE AND THERAPEUTIC OUTLET. USING SAVINGS, WE ESTABLISH A NEW AGREEMENT TO PROVIDE WEEKLY INSTRUCTIONS TO SYTF YOUTH AND JUVENILE HALL. IT HAS QUICKLY BECOME ONE OF OUR MOST VALUED PROGRAMS. MUSIC IS KNOWN TO HAVE KEY EFFECTS ON PERSONS AND FACILITIES. MUSIC HELPS MANAGE ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, FOSTER SELF-EXPRESSION, AND SOCIAL CONNECTION. IT ALSO PROVIDES A CONSTRUCTIVE OUTLET FOR ANGER AND STRESS. MUSIC IS ALSO KNOWN TO HELP PERSONS PROCESS TRAUMA, MAINTAIN CONNECTION TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD, AND DEVELOP PRO-SOCIAL SKILLS. SO, HERE ARE ADDITIONAL SERVICES FUNDED WITH THE $160,000 SAVINGS. I'LL, UH, TALK ABOUT NEW SERVICES AND PENDING SERVICES. NEW SERVICES WERE SHAPED DIRECTLY BY YOUTH AND FAMILY REQUESTS, INCLUDING RESTORATIVE JUSTICE, WHICH IS PARENT-TEEN MEDIATION, FOCUSED ON FAMILY NEEDS AND CLASSES THAT BUILD EMPATHY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY IMPACT. VICTIM AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY IMPACT EDUCATION IS HUGE. YOUTH ARE TAUGHT HOW CRIMES AFFECT THE VICTIMS, OTHER PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE. FOCUS IS ON BUILDING UNDERSTANDING, EMPATHY, AND ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONE'S OWN ACTIONS. AND FAMILY ENGAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL. OFFERS ART... WE OFFER ART-BASED ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH AND FAMILY, IS LED BY LIVED EXPERIENCE, YOUTH AND FAMILY FOR MENTORING, WHICH INCLUDES ART-BASED FUN ACTIVITIES, FOOD CONNECTIONS AND EDUCATION TO RESOURCE OPTIONS, INCLUDING VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDERS. SO, UNDER OUR PENDING SERVICES IS REENTRY TRANSITIONS, SERVICES, AND SUPPORT. CURRENTLY, THESE SERVICES ARE BEING PAID WITH TITLE II GRANT, STABLE TRANSITION AFTER REENTRY STAR GRANT FUNDS, WHICH SUNSETS AT THE END OF THIS MONTH, MARCH, 2026. FOR CONTINUITY OF SERVICES, SOME OF THE SAVINGS WILL BE USED TO CONTINUE THESE SERVICES THROUGH THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR. THESE SERVICES ARE PART OF THE CURRENT REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS WITH AN AWARD OF CONTRACT PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JULY 1ST, 2026. IN ADDITION, VOCATIONAL EDUCATION. THE YOUTH HAVE ASKED FOR SKILLS PROGRAMS SUCH AS BARBERING, MECHANICS, CONSTRUCTION, AND CULINARY ARTS. NOT ONLY WILL THE FUNDS PAY FOR THE CURRICULUM, BUT ALSO SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT. SO, OUR FISCAL YEAR 25-26 REINVESTMENT PRIORITIES. HERE WE HAVE EXAMPLES OF MULTIPLE YOUTH. BECAUSE OUR CURRENT YOUTH POPULATION IS SMALL, WE CAN TAILOR SUPPORTS INDIVIDUALLY FOR YOUTH A, B, C, AND D AS LISTED ABOVE RATHER THAN A UNIFORM STRATEGY. YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS CHART THEY HAVE SOME SIMILAR AND DIFFERENT SERVICES TAILORED TO THEIR NEEDS. FOR EXAMPLE, YOUTH A IS A DIFFERENT COMMITMENT THAT IS A COURT COMMITMENT. YOUTH B AND C, OUR SYTF COMMITMENTS, AND YOUTH D HAS THE POTENTIAL FOR SYTF COMMITMENT. OUR STRATEGIC SHIFTS THAT WE HOLD IN JUVENILE JUSTICE, [02:20:02] MONEY OFTEN FOLLOWS THE YOUTH BUT NOT THE FAMILY. YOUTH OUTCOMES IMPROVE WHEN WE ALSO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THEREFORE, TO SERVE YOUTH EFFECTIVELY, WE MUST STRENGTHEN FAMILIES. THIS IS CENTRAL TO OUR LOCAL APPROACH AND ENSURING SUCCESSFUL REENTRY. WE ARE INTENTIONALLY DESIGNING SERVICES THAT WRAP AROUND THE ENTIRE FAMILY UNIT TO SUPPORT LONG-TERM SUCCESS AND REDUCE RECIDIVISM. IT'S ALSO ESSENTIAL TO HAVE A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH, AS I'VE SPOKEN OF EARLIER. THESE PRIORITIES WERE SHAPED COLLABORATIVELY THROUGH YOUTH VOICE, FAMILY INPUT, AND COMMUNITY-BASED PROVIDER ENGAGEMENT. SO, REFLECTIONS FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. IN SUMMARY, THESE REFLECTIONS SHOW THE IMPACT THESE SERVICES ARE HAVING EMOTIONALLY, BEHAVIORALLY AND RATIONALLY FOR OUR YOUTH. I'LL QUOTE ONE: "FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NIGHTS MEAN THE WORLD TO ME. THE EXTRA TIME WITH MY SIBLINGS MADE ME FEEL MORE NORMAL THAN I HAVE IN A LONG TIME. FAMILY ENGAGEMENT NIGHTS, AS WELL AS ALL THE PRIVILEGES I AM GIVEN, MOTIVATE ME TO MAINTAIN MY BEST BEHAVIOR AS TO CONTINUE TO BE TRUSTED." THEREFORE, OUR APPROACH MUST REMAIN YOUTH CENTERED AND FAMILY INCLUSIVE. WE CENTER THE YOUNG PERSON AND RECOGNIZE THAT THEIR SUCCESS IS CLOSELY TIED TO HOW WELL WE ENGAGE AND SUPPORT THEIR FAMILY. WE ARE ALSO INCLUSIVE OF COMMUNITY VOICE. THIS APPROACH ENABLED RAPID IMPLEMENTATION, ENSURE CONTINUITY OF CARE, STRENGTHEN ACCOUNTABILITY, AND ALIGNED 160,000 IN RESOURCES WITH THE NEEDS ARTICULATED BY YOUTH, FAMILY, STAKEHOLDERS, AND COMMUNITY. AN RFP FOR THESE AND OTHER SERVICES WAS RELEASED LAST MONTH, FEBRUARY, 2026, AND WILL CLOSE THIS MONTH, MARCH 13TH, WHICH WILL HELP BRIDGE GAPS IN SERVICES AND OFFERS NEW PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. SO, THIS ENDS THE PRESENTATION. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, CHAIR MARTINEZ, BOARD, AND CEO COBURN. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS? - THANK YOU, CHIEF. I'LL START BY SEEING IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS FROM MY COLLEAGUES. SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. - YES. - YOU KNOW, SOME OF THE PENDING SERVICES I'VE SEEN, THE- THE REENTRY CAREER BUILDING VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SKILL TRADES. - MM-HMM. - UM, I THINK THERE'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, UH, WITHIN ONE OF OUR COUNTY BOARDS, THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD, WHERE A LOT OF THE BUILDING TRADES MEET THERE AND DISCUSS SOME OF THE PROGRAMMING AND APPRENTICESHIPS THAT THEY HAVE FOR, FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. AND, YOU KNOW, THEY HAVE THE MEETINGS IN SOUTH COUNTY BECAUSE IT'S MUCH NEEDED OVER THERE WITH THESE TRAININGS AND APPRENTICESHIPS. UH, A LOT OF THOSE PROGRAMS. IT'S GOOD FOR, UH, REENTRY SERVICES BECAUSE A LOT OF THOSE PROGRAMS, THEY ACTUALLY GET PAID WHILE THEY GET THEIR EDUCATION IN THE BUILDING TRADES. SO, IT'S A PERFECT OPPORTUNITY, I THINK, THAT WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT. - THANK YOU. - OTHER QUESTIONS? SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - THANK YOU, CHAIRMAN. WELCOME TO THE COUNTY. - THANK YOU. IT'S MY PLEASURE. THANK YOU. - UM, THANKS FOR THE PRESENTATION. I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THE ONE YOUTH THAT GOT SENT TO SONOMA COUNTY. I GUESS SINCE WE ARE NOW OPERATING A SECURITY FACILITY AND WE WERE HOPING THAT THOSE YOUTH WOULD THEN BE, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE ALLOWED TO STAY HERE. AND SO I'M JUST CURIOUS IF YOU COULD JUST EXPLAIN KIND OF THAT SITUATION. - SURE. UM, THE YOUTH HAVE BEEN THERE FOR SOME TIME. UM, WE FEEL THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO THEIR VOICE, AND ACTUALLY SEE WHERE THEY'RE MOST COMFORTABLE AT THIS POINT IN TIME. REMOVING THEM FROM THAT ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN, WHERE THEY'VE BEEN PRODUCTIVE, UM, WITH NO ISSUES, WE DON'T WANT TO, YOU KNOW, BRING THEM BACK, AND CAUSE ANY DISTRESS TO THEM, SO. - SO, IT WAS MORE THAT THE YOUTH WAS MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE STAYING THERE THAN COMING BACK HERE, AND SO. - CORRECT. - OKAY. THAT SOUNDS GOOD. THAT MAKES SENSE. - THANK YOU. THANK YOU. - THANKS. - ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SUPERVISOR DE SERPA? - HI. THANK YOU FOR THAT REPORT. UH, THESE ARE, UM... THESE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE COMMITTED TO THESE PLACEMENTS BY THE JUVENILE COURT JUDGE. - CORRECT. - CORRECT. OKAY. AND UM, AND DO THEY HAVE A CERTAIN TERM THAT THEY SERVE IN THOSE LOCATIONS? LIKE WHEN IS IT REEVALUATED THAT THEY COULD EITHER COME HOME OR STEP DOWN? - WELL, IT DEPENDS EITHER IN THE CAMP OR THE SECURE YOUTH TREATMENT FACILITY. THEY DO HAVE REVIEWS, AND AT THEIR REVIEWS, THE JUDGE AND US AND PROBATION, WE MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE COURT, AND AS OFTEN AS SIX MONTHS, THEY HAVE THEIR SIX MONTH REVIEWS [02:25:05] AND WE'LL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THEIR BEHAVIOR ANY INCIDENT REPORTS OR IF THEY HAVE POSITIVE BEHAVIOR, THEN THEIR TIME IS REDUCED. SO IT AVERAGES THREE TO FIVE YEARS, UH, DEPENDING ON THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE OFFENCE BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE SERIOUS AND VIOLENT FELONIES. - OKAY. AND THEN, UM, FOR KIDS THAT, UM, DO VERY, VERY WELL, ET CETERA, AND, UM, CAN ESSENTIALLY STEP DOWN OUT OF THOSE PLACEMENTS, WHERE DO THEY GO FROM THERE? DO THEY TYPICALLY COME HERE THEN TO OUR, UM, FACILITY OR DO THEY SOMETIMES GO HOME OR WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? - THE YOUTH THAT ARE FROM OUR COUNTY, YES, THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO RETURN HOME, OR DEPENDING AT WHAT STAGE THEY'RE AT, UM, THEY COULD HAVE A LEAST RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT. UH, WE HAVEN'T HAD, UM, ANY OF OUR YOUTH CURRENTLY, UM, IN A LEAST RESTRICTIVE PLACEMENT. BUT WE WILL BE, UH, LOOKING FOR THOSE HERE LOCALLY OR DEPENDING WHERE THEY END UP. - OKAY. AND THEN DO WE UTILIZE ANY TYPE OF PROGRAM, LIKE A WRAPAROUND PROGRAM? I'M NOT EVEN SURE IF THEY'RE CALLED THAT ANYMORE, BUT... - YES. YES, WE DO. - OKAY. - MM-HMM. - THANK YOU. - YOU'RE VERY WELCOME. - SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - YEAH, THANK YOU. I JUST, YOU KNOW, WE DEAL WITH, UH, SO MANY ZEROS ON, ON THIS BOARD THAT IT'S EASY TO THINK, OH, $160,000, THAT'S NOT THAT MUCH. BUT I THINK WHAT YOU SHOWED IN YOUR PRESENTATION IS THAT THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING THROUGH EXCELLENT USE, MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN YOUTH LIVES. SO, I APPRECIATE THE EXAMPLES YOU GAVE, AND SOME OF THE QUOTES. UM, BOTH, I THINK, YOU KNOW, IN PARTICULAR, BOTH THE GUITAR LESSONS, UH, AND THE JOB SKILLS TRAININGS ARE REALLY GONNA GO A LONG WAY. AND I'M EXCITED TO SEE MORE PROGRAMS LIKE THAT. - THANK YOU. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. I WILL NOW TAKE IT OUT TO THE PUBLIC TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. WELCOME, AGAIN. - GOOD MORNING ONCE AGAIN, UH, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS, UH, CHAIR MARTINEZ. UH, FARIS SABBAH, COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS. AND I'M HERE TO, UH, IN STRONG SUPPORT OF, UH, PROBATION'S YOUTH FOCUS AND FAMILY-CENTERED APPROACH FOR THE SECURE YOUTH TREATMENT FACILITY CAMP PROGRAM. THIS, THIS PROGRAM AND THESE SERVICES, UM, ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY CENTER THE VOICES, STRENGTHS, AND NEEDS OF YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES. I ALSO WANNA RECOGNIZE A STRONG PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND THE COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION. TOGETHER, WE ARE EXPANDING WRAPAROUND SERVICES, AND EDUCATIONAL AND VOCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH THROUGH RISING SCHOLARS, PBIS IMPLEMENTATION, AND ONGOING EFFORTS TO BUILD ADDITIONAL VOCATIONAL PROGRAMMING THAT HELPS YOUNG PEOPLE FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS, WHILE THEY'RE IN THE FACILITY AND WHEN THEY EXIT THE FACILITY AS WELL. WE'RE EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS WORK UNDER THE LEADERSHIP WITH CHIEF MENDEZ. UH, WE SHARE A COMMITMENT TO EQUITY AND CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE PRACTICES. WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO ENSURE SERVICES ARE INCLUSIVE, CULTURALLY INFORMED, AND INTENTIONALLY DESIGNED TO REDUCE DISPARITIES. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE DESERVE SYSTEMS THAT SEE THEIR POTENTIAL, HONOR THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE, AND HELP THEM PURSUE REAL PATHWAYS FORWARD. I APPRECIATE PROBATION'S PARTNERSHIP IN THAT WORK, AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS, THIS EFFORT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. - THANK YOU. THANK YOU. - ALL RIGHT. GOOD MORNING, BOARD, AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. MUCH APPRECIATED. MY NAME'S... SORRY. THIS IS LESS ANXIOUS THAN WHEN YOU GUYS ARE WAY UP THERE BUT THIS IS STILL REALLY ANXIOUS, LIKE DRIVEN. AND I'M NOT GONNA BE AS ELOQUENT AS THE MULTIPLE, UH, VERY INTELLIGENT SPEAKERS WE'VE HAD. I'M JUST GONNA SORT OF SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND THE PRIVILEGE AND HONOR I'VE HAD TO WORK WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE. FOR OVER TWO DECADES, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK IN OUR SCHOOLS AND THAT INCLUDES, UH, HARTMAN, WHICH IS THE SCHOOL AT THAT JUVENILE HALL. AND I HAVE SEEN, WHEN I FIRST WORKED THERE, A PUNITIVE, COLD, HARD SITE. CAN I TELL YOU WHAT I SEE TODAY? I SEE A WELCOMING SITE. I SEE ALL STAFF ON THE SAME PAGE OF BEING THERE AND TRYING TO SUPPORT EACH INDIVIDUAL PERSON THE BEST WE CAN. UM, I'VE GOT TO SAY ATTENDANCE AT THE SCHOOL IS PRETTY GREAT, A HUNDRED PERCENT. BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE PROGRAMS LIKE THE GUITAR, YOGA, ACUPUNCTURE, ART THAT COMES UP. THERE IS SO MUCH INTEGRATION OF TRYING TO SUPPORT THE YOUNG PERSON, BOTH AS AN INDIVIDUAL, BOTH THE CULTURE AND BOTH FOR THEIR FAMILY AND HOW TO BEST HELP THEM. AND THEN WHEN THEY'RE READY, NOT ONLY IS THEIR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THERE, BUT WHEN THEY'RE READY TO STEP ON AND MOVE OUT, THERE'S SPECIAL PROGRAMS. SCHOOLS TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT IS GONNA BE THE BEST FIT FOR THIS STUDENT. SO ONE OF THE MANY, MANY REASONS I LOVE LIVING IN SANTA CRUZ IS WE CARE ABOUT OUR FUTURE. WE CARE ABOUT OUR STUDENTS AND THE STUDENTS THAT DON'T HAVE THE FULL SUPPORT OF THEIR FAMILY AND THE COMMUNITIES ALL THE TIME, THAT WE CAN COME AND HELP SUPPORT THOSE FAMILIES AND THOSE STUDENTS TO BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE. [02:30:03] SO AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANKS FOR LISTENING FOR A SECOND. - THANK YOU. - UH, ONCE AGAIN, UH, BERNIE GOMEZ WITH MILPA. UM, CHAIR AND BOARD, UM, GREETINGS AGAIN. UH, TO THE NEW CHIEF, UH, PROBATION OFFICER, YOU KNOW, WELCOME. IT WAS A PLEASURE TO MEET, RIGHT? I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING ABLE TO CONTINUE AND EVOLVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROBATION AND MILPA, RIGHT? UM, AND I KNOW THAT IN THE PAST THERE'S BEEN, YOU KNOW, DIFFERENCES OF OPINION, RIGHT? OR PROCESSES AND PRACTICES. UH, SO I'M NOT HERE TO BE ADVERSARIAL AS SOME PEOPLE THINK THAT THAT'S HOW WE GET DOWN OR REBUTTAL, RIGHT? I'M ACTUALLY HERE IN LIKE, IN THE SPIRIT OF, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU'RE IN THE PLAYGROUND AND PEOPLE ARE PICKING TEAMS, RIGHT? AND THEN YOU HAVE THE, THE LITTLE KID, RIGHT? THE LITTLE GUY GETTING OVERLOOKED, YOU KNOW, 'CAUSE YOU SEE THE, UM, THE BIG PLAYERS, RIGHT? YOU SEE THE, THE, UM, THE ONES THAT KNOW, THAT, YOU KNOW, HAVE THE- THE SKILLS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, YOU KNOW, SO GETTING PICKED FIRST. SO WE BELIEVE THAT MILPA IS IN A POSITION, RIGHT? TO ALSO SERVE, UH, BEST SERVE SOME OF THIS POPULATION BASED ON OUR WORK, RIGHT? BASED ON OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW? UM, SO I'M JUST GONNA READ SOMETHING THAT I WROTE JUST TO KIND OF KEEP IT, UH, CONCISE. SO TO MAKE IT CLEAR, AT NO TIME ARE WE TRYING TO REPLACE WORK OR TERMINATE ANYBODY'S FUNDING. WHAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS HERE IS ACTUALLY PROVIDING SYSTEM-INVOLVED YOUTH WITH A DIFFERENT APPROACH TOWARDS ADDRESSING THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. THROUGH MILPA'S PHILOSOPHY OF CULTURAL HEALING AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT, WE BELIEVE THAT YOUNG PEOPLE WILL BEGIN TO THINK CRITICALLY, EMBRACE A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE TOWARDS THEIR DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE. AND WE WANNA WORK WITH YOUTH INSIDE, BUT WE'RE ALSO FOCUSING ON WORKING WITH THE YOUTH THAT ARE CURRENTLY ON PROBATION. SO IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT THIS BOARD CAN SUPPORT THAT THROUGH THIS, IT'D BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. - GOOD MORNING, CHAIR MARTINEZ AND SUPERVISORS. MY NAME'S LEANNE LUNA AND I'M THE CEO OF MONARCH SERVICES. WE ARE THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S PRIMARY PROVIDER OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES. I WAS ASKED TO BE HERE, UM, TO PROVIDE SOME, JUST REALLY SUPPORT AROUND, UH, MONARCH'S PARTNERSHIP WITH SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROBATION. UM, I WANTED TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ONE OF OUR PROGRAMS WHICH FOCUSES ON WORKING WITH THE PERSON WHO CAUSED HARM. IN 2021, MONARCH BEGAN A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT TO CERTIFY THE PROGRAM, AND DEVELOP WHAT IS NOW A STRONG AND GROWING REFERRAL SYSTEM. THE PROGRAM SERVES INDIVIDUALS WHO'VE CAUSED HARM IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RELATIONSHIP, AND PROVIDES AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO TRADI- TO TRADITIONAL BATTERER INTERVENTION PROGRAMMING. RATHER THAN FOCUSING ONLY ON PUNISHMENT, IT EXPLORES HOW CHILDHOOD TRAUMA AND LIVED EXPERIENCES CAN PERPETUATE CYCLES OF ABUSE. PROBATION WAS EAGER TO EXPLORE ALTERNATIVES TO TRADITIONAL 52-WEEK BATTERER INTERVENTION CLASSES, WHICH ARE OFTEN COURT-MANDATED, BUT DO NOT ALWAYS EFFECTIVELY REDUCE RECIDIVISM OR SUPPORT MEANINGFUL BEHAVIORAL CHANGE. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, PROBATION HAS PROVIDED FUNDING FOR MONARCH TO DELIVER PROGRAMMING ON SITE AT BOTH THEIR NORTH COUNTY AND SOUTH COUNTY LOCATIONS. AS A RESULT, THE PROGRAM IS NOW REACHING MORE PARTICIPANTS AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO THOSE WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM THEIR WORK. IT IS TRULY ENCOURAGING TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT THAT ACTIVELY LOOKS TO LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE ALREADY DOING THIS WORK. AND WE'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR COMMITMENT TO COLLABORATING WITH NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT BRING EXPERTISE IN THIS FIELD AND FOR PROACTIVELY BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS THAT STRENGTHEN SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THIS WORK HIGHLIGHTS THE IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION IN CREATING SAFER COMMUNITIES. WHEN AGENCIES ARE WILLING TO SEEK OUT AND SUPPORT INNOVATIVE APPROACHES, WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REAL CHANGE ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND HEALING, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO FURTHER PARTNERSHIPS, UM, AND SPECIFICALLY SUPPORTING OUR YOUTH IN THE COUNTY. THANK YOU. - GOOD MORNING, BOARD OF SUPERVISORS. MY NAME IS JEN ISAAC GONZALEZ. I'M THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION AT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION. UM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. UH, COLLABORATION HAS BEEN A THEME SO FAR AND I WANNA HIT UPON THAT AGAIN BECAUSE OUR PROBATION PARTNERS AND SANTA CRUZ COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, AS WELL AS COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, UM, HAVE WORKED TOGETHER TO SUPPORT OUR STUDENTS, UH, AT JUVENILE HALL [02:35:01] AND AT HARTMAN'S SCHOOL. UH, I WANT TO SAY THAT THERE HAVE BEEN TANGIBLE CHANGES AT JUVENILE HALL THAT YOU CAN SEE WHEN YOU GO INTO THE FACILITY. OUR STUDENTS ARE ENGAGING IN LIFE SKILLS AND THEY ARE NOT ONLY PREPARING FOR THEIR FUTURE, THEY ARE EXPERIENCING A LOT OF SUCCESS CURRENTLY. WE HAVE, UH, PARTNERED WITH CABRILLO COLLEGE AND SANTA CRUZ PUBLIC LIBRARIES, UM, AND WE ALSO, UH, I WANNA HIGHLIGHT THE RISING SCHOLARS UM, INITIATIVE THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE STUDENTS WHO ARE CURRENTLY COLLEGE STUDENTS IN, UH, JUVENILE HALL. UH, ALSO I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OUR POSITIVE BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS AND SUPPORTS, PBIS, WHICH IS AN INITIATIVE THAT WE ARE WORKING ON TOGETHER. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I'M HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT OUR STUDENTS. UM, WE HAVE AMAZING STUDENTS AND I WANNA HIGHLIGHT THAT, UH, OUR EDUCATION TEAM WHO CANNOT BE HERE TODAY BECAUSE THEY'RE IN THE CLASSROOM, HAVE WORKED TOGETHER WITH OUR WONDERFUL PROBATION PARTNERS, UH, TO SEE STUDENTS THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL AND ALSO CURRENTLY IN COLLEGE. AND IT IS OUR STUDENTS THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING CURRENTLY THAT ARE THE INSPIRATION FOR ALL OF OUR COLLABORATION AND EVERYTHING WE DO. EVERYTHING IS STUDENT-CENTERED AND FROM THEIR VOICES. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY. THANKS. - THANK YOU, MRS. GONZALEZ. UH, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ONLINE? - YES, WE DO. THANK YOU. CALLING USER 1, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - MARILYN GARRETT, THANK YOU FOR THAT INFORMATIVE REPORT. I WAS HEARTENED TO HEAR ABOUT GUITAR LESSONS, MUSIC, ART-BASED ACTIVITY, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, UM, AND HOW YOUTH OUTCOMES IMPROVE WITH FAMILY ENGAGEMENT, SUPPORT, YOGA, ACUPUNCTURE. I'M THINKING ALL OF THESE ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND THE COMMUNITY. UH, YOUR BOARD ALSO, UH, RAISE QUESTIONS BECAUSE, UH, WE ARE IN A CONTEXT OF, UM, SOCIETY. WE TALK ABOUT POSITIVE - WHAT WAS THIS? BEHAVIOR EMPHASIS. AND I THOUGHT, OH, THESE ICE AGENTS NEED POSITIVE BEHAVIOR EMPHASIS. UM, THERE'S A LOT OF POVERTY, UNEMPLOYMENT, RACIAL DISCRIMINATION. SO, THIS, THE CONTEXT OF AN UNHEALTHY SOCIETY IS VERY CONTRIBUTING TO, UH, YOU KNOW, THESE, UM, PROBLEMS. ALSO MEDICARE HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM, FOR MANY PEOPLE, THE SNAP MONEY, UM, PEOPLE GOING HUNGRY. SO HOW DO WE CHANGE THE SOCIETY TO MAKE IT MORE HEALTHY AND THAT MONEY IS NOT MISAPPROPRIATED TO- FOR THESE ENDLESS WARS AND ICE RAIDS, ET CETERA. THAT'S THE QUESTION. SOUNDS LIKE, UM, A LOT OF POSITIVE ASPECTS. I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT MEDICATIONS. IS THAT PART OF THE TREATMENT? BECAUSE MEDICATIONS ALL HAVE SIDE EFFECTS. I'D LIKE A RESPONSE. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU, MS. GARRETT. - IS THAT THE FINAL? - KARINA, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HI. BUENOS DÍAS! MY NAME IS KARINA MORENO. UM, AND I ALSO WORK FOR MILPA. AND, UM, ONE OF THE BOARD, CHAIR AND- AND NEW COO. CONGRATULATIONS. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO TELL YOU THAT IN PERSON VERY SOON. UM, BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR TODAY'S PRESENTATION. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE HERE AT MILPA ARE VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT AND, UM, SO I APPRECIATED LEARNING ABOUT THE NEW OPPORTUNITIES AND HEARING ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT MENTION THAT FOR THE CULTURALLY-CENTERED APPROACHES, THERE WAS NOTHING, UM, THAT WAS ROOTED IN CULTURAL HEALING, CULTURAL RESILIENCE OR OPPORTUNITIES TO, FOR THE YOUTH TO ENGAGE IN THEIR OWN INDIGENOUS PRACTICES. AND I WOULD- I DON'T WANT MY COMMENT TO SOUND LIKE WE'RE SPLITTING HAIRS, BUT WE ARE ASKING AND HAVE BEEN ASKING TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THESE, THESE KINDS OF PRACTICES AND CONVERSATIONS. UM, AND IF THERE WAS EVER A TIME TO BRING THIS KINDS OF [02:40:02] OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR YOUTH WHO NEED IT THE MOST, I THINK WE WOULD ALL AGREE LIKE THIS IS THE TIME. WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY IS DOING TO BRING AWARENESS AND ACTION TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO PROACTIVELY PROTECT OUR IMMIGRANT MEXICAN, CHICANO INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY. BUT I ASK YOU TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX AND INCLUDE OUR INDIGENOUS AND HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVES OF SUPPORTING THE YOUTH'S MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, AND SPIRITUAL, NOT RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES. AGAIN, I REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW MUCH WE CARE. WE WOULDN'T KEEP COMING AND ASKING TO BRING THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR YOUTH IN THE JUVENILE HALL IF WE DIDN'T CARE A WHOLE LOT, AND KNOW FROM OUR OWN EXPERIENCE THE DIFFERENCE IT CAN MAKE. WE HOPE, UM, TO BE CONSIDERED OR INVITED TO BE A PART OF THE CONVERSATION AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES. THANK YOU. - CHAIR, I HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE. - THANK YOU. I'LL NOW RETURN TO THE BOARD FOR A MOTION AND DISCUSSION. SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. - I, I, I DO HAVE A FEW MORE QUESTIONS. UM, YOU MENTIONED THE BARBER PROGRAM, THE COOKING PROGRAM. SO THE INTENT OF THIS IS FOR THEM TO GET LIKE, OF COURSE, COOKING TRAINING. BUT DO THEY GET LIKE A CALIFORNIA FOOD HANDLER CERTIFICATE OR... - YES, YES. - THEY DO, OKAY. AND, UH, SAME WITH THE BARBERS. THEY GET A CALIFORNIA BARBER'S LICENSE. - AND ANYTHING THAT WE WANT TO PROVIDE IN THE FACILITY, WE WANNA MAKE SURE IT IS IN CERTIFICATION, SOMETHING THEY CAN UTILIZE UPON RELEASE. - OKAY. AND WITH THE PREVIOUS, UM, PUBLIC COMMENT, UH, IS THERE ANY THOUGHTS, UH, ABOUT THE CULTURAL WORK THAT THEY, THEY DISCUSSED RIGHT NOW? - ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. WE, UM, ALREADY ARE WORKING ON THAT AND, UM, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN IMPROVE UPON, WE WILL TAKE BACK AND SPEAK WITH MY TEAM AND, UH, DEFINITELY A WORK IN PROGRESS. BUT WE BELIEVE THAT, UM, WE CAN SIT DOWN AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS IN HOW WE CAN IMPROVE IN THOSE AREAS. - THANK YOU. 'CAUSE I DO, I MEAN, I DO LOVE ALL THE TRAINING PROGRAMS, UH, THE ART, BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING ABOUT CULTURAL WORK THAT GIVES MORE OF A SENSE OF SELF-RELIANCE, I THINK. - ABSOLUTELY. AND A LOT OF THIS IS DRIVEN BY WHAT THE YOUTH ARE REQUESTING INSIDE THE FACILITY. SO WE ALWAYS GO BACK TO WHAT ARE THEY REQUESTING AND WHAT ARE THEIR NEEDS ARE. AND, UH, THAT'S WHAT WE REALLY FOCUS ON. BUT ABSOLUTELY, IT'S SOMETHING THAT, UH, WE NEED TO ALSO LOOK AT. - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - DO WE HAVE A MOTION? - I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. - SECOND. - THANK YOU. A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR KOENIG. UM, FURTHER COMMENT, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS? - YEAH. WELL, I JUST WANNA START BY THANKING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, UM, WHO ARE- AND ALL OF OUR COUNTY STAFF WHO ARE REALLY, YOU KNOW, UH, CONTRIBUTING TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR YOUTH WHO ARE IN THE FACILITY AND TO THE CLIMATE WITHIN THAT FACILITY. UM, YOU KNOW, MANY PEOPLE WE HEAR WANT TO SEE THINGS DONE BETTER IN TERMS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING INCARCERATION. THEY WANNA SEE BETTER OUTCOMES, AND IT'S ALWAYS A GREAT, YOU KNOW, HEARING THE AMAZING WORK THAT'S BEING DONE IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY AND HOW WE'RE A MODEL FOR OTHER COMMUNITIES. AND SO, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF YOUTH, UM, WHO GO IN AND COME OUT BETTER, UM, FROM THE TREATMENT THAT THEY'RE RECEIVING IN, IN OUR SYSTEM. UM, I DO ALSO WANNA EXPRESS, UM, SIMILAR TO SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ, UM, THE MONTEREY BAY CENTRAL LABOR COUNCIL AND THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION TRADES HAVE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN, YOU KNOW, APPRENTICESHIPS OR TRAINING OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUTH SO THEY CAN GET IN THE TRADES AND WITH, YOU KNOW, UH, WITH DWINDLING MEMBERSHIP IN THE TRADES. 'CAUSE MANY ARE KIND OF, YOU KNOW, UM, MOVING INTO RETIREMENT. THE NEED IS THERE IN TERMS OF, UM, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO CAN GET TRAINED IN THE TRADES AND MOVE INTO THAT AS A CAREER. AND IT, IT ACTUALLY PAYS REALLY WELL, TOO. SO, YOU KNOW, UM, IN TERMS OF VIABLE FUTURE, IF THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR THAT AT THE YOUTH FACILITY, I THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH EXPLORING. UM, ALSO, I, I, ONE QUESTION I HAD, ARE THERE ANY TYPE OF LIKE GARDENING PROGRAMS THAT ARE THERE CURRENTLY? - CURRENTLY, UM, I'LL HAVE OUR PROBATION DIRECTOR. [INAUDIBLE] - GOOD MORNING. SARA BERMAN, PROBATION DIRECTOR. WAS AT JUVENILE HALL, I'M NOW AT ADULT. UM, THERE'S SOME SMALL GARDENING PROJECT. WE'VE HAD SOME VOLUNTEERS COME IN, LIKE PLANTER BOXES. UM, BUT REALLY ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS DONE WITH OUR GRAND CONSTRUCTION PROJECT, UM, THERE'LL BE A FULL GARDEN. SO, IT'LL BE THE SEED-TO-TABLE PROGRAM, IT WILL BE A FULL GARDEN, A GREENHOUSE, UM, PLACES TO DO, EDUCATION, AND COUNSELING IN THE GARDEN, AND THEN TAKING FOOD FROM THE GARDEN INTO THE KITCHEN FOR THE CULINARY PORTION. - THAT'S GREAT. I WAS JUST GONNA RECOMMEND HAVING MET WITH THE, UM, UC EXTENSION, THE AG AND NATURAL RESOURCES, THEIR MASTER GARDEN PROGRAM, AND I THINK THERE'S FOLKS THERE WHO WOULD EXPRESS SOME INTEREST AS WELL, POTENTIALLY IN WORKING IN THE... - WHEN WE ORIGINALLY WROTE THE GRANT, [02:45:02] IT WAS ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO. WE DID REACH OUT TO FOOD, WHAT?!, UCSC, MASTER GARDENERS. WE DID HAVE A LOT OF SUPPORT, UM, AND PARTNERSHIPS WHERE I'M EXCITED TO DO. SO WE'LL HAVE TO REVISIT THAT ONCE- ABOUT A YEAR FROM NOW WHEN THE GARDEN IS DONE AND READY TO GO TO ROLL OUT THOSE PROGRAMS. - GREAT. THAT'S, THAT'S GREAT. - YEAH. - UM. AND THEN AS A GUITARIST, REALLY GREAT TO SEE YOU GUYS HAVE THE GUITAR PROGRAM THERE. UM, MAYBE ONE DAY THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET A LITTLE CONCERT BUT, YOU KNOW, WE- WE CAN, I GUESS THERE'S, YOU KNOW, WE CAN KEEP THE IDEAS FLOWING. - AND THEN, UM, AND THEN JUST ALSO ENCOURAGING, I KNOW, I KNOW MILPA DOES A LOT OF GREAT WORK IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY'RE VERY INTERESTED IN HELPING TO SUPPORT THESE EFFORTS TOO. SO, I HOPE THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES TO WORK WITH THEM MOVING FORWARD AS WELL. AND SO THAT CONCLUDES MY COMMENT. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. UM, I WANNA THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. I THINK THAT THE SLIDES THAT YOU SHARED AND THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE DURING YOUR ORAL PRESENTATION REALLY ANSWERED A LOT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT I HAD. SO, THANK YOU GOING- TO- FOR GOING INTO THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL. I ALSO, UM, THINK WE GOT SOME VALUABLE PUBLIC COMMENT. SO, I HOPE YOU TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AS YOU ROLL OUT YOUR RFP PROCESS, UM, AND CONTINUE TO ENGAGE, UH, OUR COMMUNITY WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT THE YOUTH, UM, WHO ARE IN CUSTODY. SO, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? I CAN'T TELL.  YOU WERE JUST READY FOR YOUR VOTE, RIGHT? OKAY. - UH, YES. - UH, ALL RIGHT, SO MADAME CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? - ABSOLUTELY. SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - AYE. - HERNANDEZ. - AYE. - KOENIG. - AYE. - DE SERPA. - AYE. - AND MARTINEZ. - AYE. MOTION PASSES, 5 TO 0. SO, FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I AM GOING TO CALL WHAT'S BECOME ITEM 9.1. THIS IS THE ITEM THAT WAS FORMALLY NUMBER 25. AND WE'RE GONNA ROLL THROUGH THAT. [25. Direct the Board Chair to send a letter to the Director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) requesting that HCD issue a clarification letter confirming that Santa Cruz County’s Housing Element was determined to be in substantial compliance as of March 15, 2024, when HCD completed its substantive review, and take related actions] WE HAVE A CLOSED SESSION ITEM AFTER THAT DURING OUR LUNCH PERIOD, AND WE HAVE A SCHEDULED 1:30 ITEM. SO THE BUDGET ITEM MAY END UP AFTER OUR SCHEDULED ITEM AT 1:30. UM, UNLESS THIS GOES QUICKLY. SO, WITH THAT, I'M GONNA CALL ITEM NUMBER 25 OR SORRY, 9.1, FORMERLY 25, WHICH WAS TO DIRECT THE BOARD CHAIR TO SEND A LETTER TO THE DIRECTOR OF THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, REQUESTING THE HCD ISSUE A CLARIFICATION LETTER CONFIRMING THAT SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE AS OF MARCH 15TH, 2024 WHEN HCD COMPLETED ITS SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW AND TAKE RELATED ACTIONS. THIS WAS AN ITEM THAT WAS PLACED ON THE BOARD FROM, UM, SUPERVISOR KOENIG AND SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, AND I PULLED THE ITEM. SO, I THINK I MIGHT START BY TURNING IT OVER TO ONE OF YOU TO, UM, INTRODUCE THE ITEM. THANK YOU. - SURE. THANK YOU, CHAIR. UM, SO SINCE OUR HEARING ON 841 CAPITOLA ROAD, AND OF COURSE THERE, UH, WHICH WAS THE FIRST BUILDERS REMEDY PROJECT TO COME TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND TO COME TO THIS BOARD AND, OF COURSE, THERE'S ANOTHER ONE, UH, AT, ON, ON UH, 3,500 PAUL SUITE ROAD THAT IS MAKING ITS WAY THROUGH THE PROCESS. UM, WE HAVE VIGOROUSLY ENGAGED WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS REALLY DISCUSSING THE FACT THAT, UM, IN THIS CASE, WE FEEL THE PENALTY DOES- DOES NOT SUIT THE INFRACTION HERE, THAT WE, AS A COUNTY, WE'RE MAKING EVERY EFFORT TO MEET THE STATE DEADLINES FOR THE HOUSING ELEMENT. UM, AND THAT FURTHERMORE, THE RECORD SHOWS, AND, UH, I, I DO WANT TO THANK SOME OF THE RESIDENTS, UM, WHO LIVE NEXT TO THE 841 CAPITAL ROAD PROJECT FOR HELPING TO REVEAL THIS THROUGH A PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST, UH, THAT HCD STOPPED WORKING ON OUR APPLICATION AFTER MARCH 15TH WHEN THEY TOLD OUR COUNTY STAFF THAT WE- THEY WERE SUBSTANTIALLY READY TO APPROVE OUR HOUSING ELEMENT. UM, IN OUR DISCUSSIONS WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, UH, THEY'VE SAID THAT THEY NEED SOME KIND OF FORMAL REQUEST FROM THIS BOARD IN ORDER TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH HCD ON THIS ISSUE AND SO THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE BEFORE US TODAY. UH, IS A LETTER, UM, A FORMAL LETTER TO HCD FROM THIS BOARD REQUESTING, UH, THE CHANGE IN DATE FOR OUR HOUSING ELEMENT. - IF I COULD JUST ADD AS WELL, UM, YOU KNOW, AS WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE, IT'S COME TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THERE HAD BEEN COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN STAFF THAT WEREN'T ACCESSIBLE TO US BY A BOARD BECAUSE IT'S FROM STAFF TO STAFF. AND IT WAS THROUGH THIS PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST THAT WE REALLY REALIZED THAT, YOU KNOW, THE HOUSING ELEMENT YOU KNOW, THE- THE STAFF MADE EVERY EFFORT TO TRY TO GET THE HOUSING ELEMENT IN TO TRY TO GET OUR, UM, ALL THE COMMENTS ADDRESSED BY, UH, HCD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, THE PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUESTS SAID THAT THERE WAS NO SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES AFTER MARCH 15TH MEANS THAT IT WAS IN COMPLIANCE AND THEN HCD WAS JUST KIND OF SITTING AND WAS KIND OF GONNA GET TO IT WHEN THEY FELT LIKE IT. WHICH REALLY, UM, IS A, IS-IS NOT IN GOOD FAITH IN TERMS OF THE PENALTIES THAT WE COULD BE FACED WITH AS A COUNTY. [02:50:02] AND IT'S THROUGH THIS RECORD ACT REQUEST THAT SINCE WE'RE NOW AWARE OF THE FACT THAT- THAT WE WERE IN COMPLIANCE, WE SHOULD REQUIRE THAT THE STATE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT. AND, UM, AND SO THIS LETTER, AS SUPERVISOR KOENIG SAID, UM, IS BASED ON CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'VE HAD WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATURE AND THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WHILE THERE MAY BE STAFF TO STAFF COMMUNICATIONS AT THE LOWER LEVEL, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT OUR STATE LEGISLATORS AND OUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE ON THE GROUND AND GOING TO THE TOP AND LIKE REALLY MAKING SURE AND ACKNOWLEDGING, UM, THE MISTAKES THAT WERE BEING MADE BY HCD. AND SO, YOU KNOW, FROM- FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, UM, YOU KNOW, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES TO LEARN ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING AND REPRESENT US AT THE STATE LEVEL. AND SO, THAT'S THE REQUEST THAT'S BEFORE US TODAY. - AND IF I COULD ADD ONE MORE THING, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THIS BOARD HAS ALREADY HAD THE HEARING ON 841 CAPITOLA ROAD. WE'VE ALREADY APPROVED THAT PROJECT AND WE CANNOT GO BACK IN TIME AND CHANGE THAT. AND SO REALLY, UM, IF, IF HCD EVEN WERE TO GRANT THIS REQUEST, ALL THAT DOES IS, UH, PROVIDE, UH, GREATER CLARITY OR STRENGTH OF ARGUMENT, UM, FOR ANYONE WHO CHOOSES TO CHALLENGE, UM, THAT APPROVAL. AND OF COURSE, IT COULD ALSO POTENTIALLY IMPACT, UM, THE- THE OTHER PROJECT, PAUL, THE PAUL SUITE ROAD PROJECT, BUT OF COURSE, ALSO THE GRAHAM HILL ROAD PROJECT, UM, WHICH, UM, WILL EITHER COME BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR THIS BOARD. SO, THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. UM, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BEFORE US. I DO HAVE SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS. UM, SO FAR WHAT YOU'VE SHARED IS HELPFUL. CAN YOU JUST ELABORATE A LITTLE BIT MORE ON YOUR- THE REQUESTS THAT YOU MADE TO OUR STATE LEGISLATORS, WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO, AND WHAT HAVE THEY ASKED FROM US? - UH, SURE. SO, SENATOR LAIRD, UH, AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN PELLERIN AND ASSEMBLYWOMAN ADDIS, WE'VE TALKED A LITTLE BIT WITH ALL OF THEM. UM, AND IN PARTICULAR, SENATOR LAIRD, WHO I BELIEVE WAS ACTUALLY HELPFUL IN THE ORIGINAL BACK DATING OF THE LETTER FROM APRIL 23RD WHEN WE RECEIVED IT TO APRIL 12TH, UM, JUST REQUESTED SOME FORMAL ACTION BY THIS BOARD IN THE FORM OF A LETTER. AND I'LL JUST ADD THAT I DID SPEAK WITH ASSEMBLYMEMBER PELLERIN AND WE PROVIDED HER WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE TIMELINE OF WHEN WE HAD BEEN SUBMITTING, UM, OUR HOUSING ELEMENT AND HOW WE HAD BEEN SUBMITTING OUR HOUSING ELEMENT, NOT ONLY ON TIME BUT IN GOOD FAITH, AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS. AND THEN, UM, THE FACT THAT WE, YOU KNOW, AFTER WE HAD STARTED GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE PUBLIC RECORD ACT REQUESTS, REALIZING THAT, YOU KNOW, IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR THAT WE WERE IN COMPLIANCE ON MARCH 15TH. JUST REALLY ASKING IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE AND THINKING LIKE, WELL, MAYBE WE SHOULD GO TO THE SOURCE, MAYBE WE SHOULD SEND A LETTER FORMALLY TO, UM, SEND A LETTER REQUEST SO THAT HE HAD ASKED IF WE HAD SENT A LETTER IN FORMALLY AND WE SAID NO. AND HE SAID, WELL, MAYBE THAT'S A GOOD FIRST STEP. AND SO, THAT'S WHY WE'RE BRINGING THIS LETTER TO US TODAY, UM, IN ORDER TO TRY TO GET SOME KIND OF RESPONSE, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE, UH, PAUL SUITE ROAD PROJECT IS GONNA BE BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THE 25TH. - AND CAN YOU, UM, ELABORATE ON THE- WHAT WAS FOUND THROUGH THE PRA BECAUSE THE- THE ATTACHMENTS TO THE BOARD ITEM DIDN'T REALLY HAVE ANYTHING. WAS THAT INTENTIONAL OR WAS THERE SOMETHING MISSING? - LET ME BRING UP THE... OKAY. SO, AND I'M HAVING ISSUES ACCESSING THE AGENDA VIRTUAL. - I, I DON'T HAVE THE ACTUAL DOCUMENTS IN FRONT OF ME BUT THIS WAS DISCOVERED BY ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO I'M SURE COULD SPEAK TO IT. UM, BUT IT WAS ESSENTIALLY A REQUEST TO HCD ASKING IF ANY FURTHER WORK WAS DONE ON THE COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT AFTER THE MARCH 15TH DATE, WHICH IS THE DATE THAT THEY, UH, DURING A MEETING, TOLD OUR COUNTY STAFF THAT THEY WERE READY TO CERTIFY THE ELEMENT AND, UM, THEY RESPONDED THAT, IN FACT, THERE WAS NO RECORDS OF ANY ADDITIONAL WORK BEING DONE AFTER MARCH 15TH. - OKAY. THAT, SO THAT WAS THE EXTENSIVE PRA FINDING. - I THINK ONE OF THE MOST SUBSTANTIVE FINDINGS WITHIN THE PRA. - OKAY. GOT IT. GOT IT. GOT IT. UM, AND YOU KNOW, THIS, THIS QUESTION CAME BEFORE THE BOARD WHEN WE HEARD THE MOST RECENT BUILDER'S REMEDY PROJECT AND WE HEARD FROM OUR PLANNING STAFF THAT THERE WAS ALREADY SOME SORT OF CERTAINTY, UM, FROM HCD ON THIS ITEM, THAT IT'S KIND OF, THAT THE- THE HORSE HAS BEEN BEATEN TO DEATH, BASICALLY. CAN- CAN, UM, MAYBE IT'S YOU, MR. HEATH, WHO COULD ELABORATE ON THAT POINT. WHAT, WHAT HAVE WE HEARD? WHAT'S, WHAT, WHAT LED TO THAT GUIDANCE AS WHEN WE HEARD THIS ITEM PREVIOUSLY? - UM, WELL, IT'S A COMBINATION OF BOTH THE EXISTING RESEARCH THAT STAFF HAD DONE, BUT ALSO A SPECIFIC, UM, REQUEST FOR HCD TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THAT THE APPLICANT FOR, UH, 831, UM, ASKED HCD ON JAN- IN JANUARY, TWO MONTHS AGO, [02:55:01] UM, TO CLARIFY THE ISSUE AND HCD, UM, REPORTED BACK TO THEM IN WRITING, UM, THAT THE ORIGINAL ASSESSMENT, UM, UH, WAS CORRECT AS FAR AS WHEN OUR HOUSING ELEMENT WAS DEEMED APPROVED. SO, UM, I'LL PAUSE THERE AND IF YOU HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS, I'LL ANSWER THEM. - SO, FROM THE COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE ALREADY SOUGHT OR HCD HAS ALREADY PROVIDED KIND OF A LAST WORD ON THIS ITEM THROUGH THEIR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROCESS. - WELL, I, I BELIEVE THEY'VE- I BELIEVE, YES, THEY HAVE, UH, PROVIDED THEIR VERSION OF THEIR LAST WORD TO WHO ASKED THEM THE QUESTION, WHICH WAS STAFF. UM, UH, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT, UM, THE LAW, UM, AND THE VARIOUS INTERPRETATIONS OF THE LAW, AS WE'VE- WE'VE KIND OF GONE OVER THIS, UH, YOU KNOW, A NUMBER OF TIMES AND WE PROVIDED LEGAL ADVICE TO THE BOARD ON THIS, IT'S, IT'S, UH, IT IS NOT ILLEGAL. LET ME, LET ME JUST, LET ME JUST, LET ME JUST KIND OF START BY SAYING, I UNDERSTAND HOW DIFFICULT THESE ISSUES ARE. THEY'RE, THEY'RE VERY DIFFICULT, UM, ALL THE WAY AROUND AND THEY INVOLVE SOME VERY DEEP POLICY ISSUES. SO, I DON'T WANT ANYTHING I SAY TO BE MISINTERPRETED AS HAVING ANYTHING TO DO WITH POLICY. I'M SPEAKING COMPLETELY FROM THE LEGAL REALM AND ONLY THE LEGAL REALM, RIGHT? IT'S NOT ILLEGAL FOR THE BOARD TO ASK SOMEBODY A QUESTION OR TO WRITE A LETTER. HOWEVER, DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS OUT OF THAT, THERE COULD BE CONSEQUENCES, UM, THAT THIS BOARD WOULD HAVE TO DEAL WITH. UM, I'M NOT HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE DEVELOPERS, BUT THE DEVELOPERS, UM, SPEND A LOT OF MONEY, UM, AND INVEST A LOT OF MONEY BASED ON REPRESENTATIONS, UM, THAT HAVE BEEN MADE IN THE PAST ABOUT WHAT IS OR IS NOT ON THE TABLE. UM, SO I, I COULD, IMA- I COULD, I COULD VERY EASILY SEE THAT, YOU KNOW, THE BOARD SENDING A LETTER TO HCD IF HCD WAS TO TURN SOMETHING AROUND AND SAY, OH, YEAH, UH, UH, THE PERSON THAT, UH, THAT TALKED TO YOU BEFORE WAS WRONG, AND, AND YOU'RE RIGHT. I MEAN, I WOULD BE PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT, UH, IF THE BOARD TOOK ANY ACTION TO UNDO ANYTHING WITH THE 831 CAPITOLA, OR TO PROSPECTIVELY USE THAT FOR THE PAUL SUITE ROAD PROJECT, IS THAT YOU WILL GET SUED. AND, AND, UM, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T- THAT'S- WE DON'T HAVE ANY INSURANCE FOR THAT. WE'VE ALREADY BEEN OVER THAT. UM, IT'S GENERAL FUND MONEY THAT- THAT YOU'RE RISKING, UH, BUT IT'S LEGAL FOR THE BOARD TO RISK THAT, AND TO TAKE ON THAT EXPOSURE. IF THE BOARD FEELS LIKE IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE BOARD IS WILLING TO TAKE ON, THAT KIND OF RISK AND THAT KIND OF EXPOSURE, IT KIND OF DOVETAILS BACK WITH WHAT WE DISCUSSED, UH, AT THE LAST HEARING. UM, BUT THE LAW- THE LAW HASN'T CHANGED SINCE THE LAST HEARING. - THANK YOU. UM, I, I MIGHT HAVE SOME FURTHER QUESTIONS, BUT SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION? - YEAH, I DO. I MEAN, I THINK IT'S- WE MAY NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER DISCUSSION BECAUSE SOME INFORMATION THAT CAME TO US REVEALED THAT, WELL... I'M GONNA HOLD OFF ON THAT COMMENT FOR NOW. BUT I WILL JUST SAY, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME TIMES WHEN STAFF AND STAFF HAVE COMMUNICATIONS AND THEN IT TURNS OUT THAT AS YOU GO UP THE CHAIN AND HAVE CONVERSATIONS, SOMEBODY MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION. AND I THINK, TO YOUR POINT, WE CAN ASK THE QUESTION AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR TODAY, IS FOR US TO SEND A LETTER. ONCE THAT LETTER IS SENT, WHATEVER RESPONSE WE GET, WE CAN, YOU KNOW, DETERMINE HOW WE MOVE FORWARD AT THAT POINT IN TIME. BUT I THINK WHAT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, YES, THE DEVELOPERS HAVE SPENT A BUNCH OF MONEY, BUT SO HAVE THE PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY WHO LIVE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS IN TERMS OF THE HOMES AND THE INVESTMENTS THAT THEY PUT- PUT INTO THEIR HOMES, THEY ARE NOW POTENTIALLY FACED WITH SUING THE COUNTY, THAT'S GONNA COST THEM A LOT OF MONEY, AND I THINK THAT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE DEVELOPERS. AND SO, UM, THAT'S, THESE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED FOR US, NOT THE DEVELOPERS, AND THEY HAVE ASKED US TO EXHAUST ALL OPTIONS. AND SO, THIS IS AN OPTION FOR US TO EXHAUST ASKING OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES WHO THEY ALSO VOTED FOR, TO CONTACT THE DIRECTOR OF HCD AND HAVE THIS CONVERSATION ON BEHALF, BASED ON THE EVIDENCE THAT THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND THROUGH THEIR PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST. SO, ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS FOR THAT LETTER TO BE SENT. I MEAN, OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES MAY SAY NO, AND HCD MAY NOT AGREE. BUT THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT, UM, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE VOTED US IN OFFICE. AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO TODAY. - CAN I ALSO ASK- UM, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT? - YEAH, I MEAN, I JUST WANNA SAY, I HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR WHAT COUNTY COUNCIL IS SAYING ABOUT THE RISKS OF, UM, YOU KNOW, HOW THIS LETTER DEPENDING ON THE RESPONSE IS INTERPRETED IN THE FUTURE. UM, BUT TO THE POINT OF, YOU KNOW, A SEPARATION OF LAW VERSUS POLICY, FIRST OF ALL, I THINK THIS DOES- COULD POTENTIALLY HELP CLARIFY THE LAW. AND SECOND OF ALL, I THINK IT HELPS ELEVATE THE ISSUE [03:00:03] TO A POLICY, POLICY DISCUSSION WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS WHERE, I MEAN, WE ACTUALLY HAVE THEIR ENGAGEMENT AT THIS POINT, AND IT COULD, EVEN IF IT ENDS UP NOT, UM, YOU KNOW, APPLYING IN ANY MEANINGFUL WAY TO THE- THE PROJECTS BEFORE THE BUILDER'S REMEDY PROJECTS, BEFORE THE COUNTY, UM, IT COULD LEAD TO SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN POLICY, WHICH I THINK, UM, YOU KNOW, WE'VE ALL SAID WE'D LIKE TO SEE. I MEAN- AND I MEAN, IT'S AS COUNTY COUNSEL SAID, IT'S AN EXTREMELY COMPLICATED ISSUE, RIGHT? I MEAN, AND THAT'S WHAT ULTIMATELY LED TO MY VOTE ON THE 841 CAPITOLA ROAD PROJECT IS THERE'S EVEN QUESTIONS LIKE, WELL, DOES SB 330 VESTING APPLY TO BUILDER'S REMEDY? IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE ACTUAL DATE OF THE LETTER IS NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. UM, AND WHETHER THAT'S THE PLANNING COMMISSION OR THIS BOARD, WHATEVER DECISION MAKING BODY IS GOING TO HAVE TO WEIGH ALL OF THE FACTORS, UM, WHENEVER A, A DECISION, UH, IS MADE. BUT AT THIS POINT, ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR IS, UM, IS, IS THE CLARIFICATION AND CHANGE OF THE DAY. - SO, OKAY. UM, I'LL SAVE SOME OF MY COMMENTS FOR AFTER WE HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THE... WHAT'S ACTUALLY BEING ASKED IN THIS LETTER. UM, IN THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS, IT'S ASKING THAT THEY ISSUE A CLARIFICATION LETTER CONFIRMING, UM, THAT THE HOUSING ELEMENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE AS OF MARCH 15TH. IN- BUT IN THE DISCUSSION OF THE ITEM, IT'S SAYING THAT THE BOARD CHAIR IS DIRECTED TO REQUEST THE HCD BACKDATE CERTIFICATION OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT TO MARCH 15TH. I THINK THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, AND I'M JUST HOPING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT'S BEING ASKED OF THE CHAIR TO SEND. - I MEAN, I DO- I DO, I MEAN, THE ISSUE OF CLARIFICATION LETTER CONFIRMING THAT THE SANTA CRUZ HOUSING ELEMENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE AS OF MARCH 15TH. I MEAN, MY READ OF THAT VERSUS WHAT'S IN THE BOARD REPORT IS THAT- THAT'S- THAT THEY'RE CONSISTENT WITH ONE ANOTHER. AND SO, UM, IT'S CLARIFYING THAT... THAT- THAT THE SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE DATE WAS NOT APRIL, IT WAS IN MARCH, 2024, UH, WHEN HCD COMPLETED SUBSTANTIAL REVIEW. SO, THAT'S HOW I UNDERSTAND THE RECOMMENDATION IN TERMS OF HOW IT ALSO READS IN THE AGENDA REPORT. AND I WILL SAY THAT, UM, ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS GONNA ACTUALLY RECOMMEND IS THAT WE, THAT WE ADD TO THIS IS THAT WE ALSO SEND THESE LETTERS TO OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES BECAUSE IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THAT WAS INCLUDED, BUT THAT IS PART OF THE- THE, UM, THE DESIRE FOR THIS ACTION. - OKAY. UM, I ALL HAVE FURTHER COMMENTS AND PERHAPS A REQUEST TO GIVE US MORE TIME TO GET SOME LEGAL GUIDANCE ON THIS WHEN WE BRING THIS TO A MOTION. UM, BUT THAT SAID, I DO WANNA HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN THIS UP TO THE PUBLIC. UM, SO IF ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, YOU'RE WELCOME TO COME SPEAK. - GOOD MORNING. UH, MY NAME IS MIKE REESE. I'M FROM 841 CAPITOLA. UM, SO IN DECEMBER OF LAST YEAR, WE SUBMITTED A FORMAL PUBLIC RECORDS REQUEST, UH, AS SUPERVISOR KOENIG MENTIONED. - CAN I STOP YOU FOR A SEC. I DON'T THINK YOUR MIC'S ON OR WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. - I'LL GET CLOSER. WE SUBMITTED A FORMAL PUBLIC RECORDS ACT REQUEST TO HCD. UH, WE ASKED THEM TWO QUESTIONS. ONE, DO YOU HAVE ANY RECORDS SHOWING THAT YOUR REVIEW OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S, UM, HOUSING ELEMENT WAS STILL ONGOING AFTER MARCH 15TH, 2024? AND THE SECOND QUESTION WAS, CAN YOU PRODUCE ANY RECORDS OR DOCUMENTS WHICH SHOW THAT THE COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT WAS NON-COMPLIANT AFTER MARCH 15TH, 2024? HCD'S LEGAL AFFAIRS DIVISION, NOT THEIR HOUSING ELEMENT STAFF, RESPONDED ON APRIL- UM, DECEMBER 29TH, 2025. I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING THAT THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE LETTER WAS SENT BY THEIR HOUSING ELEMENT STAFF, NOT THEIR LEGAL AFFAIRS DIVISION. THEY CONFIRMED EXPLICITLY THAT, "NO SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY HCD AFTER MARCH 15TH, 2024." THAT'S WHAT'S IN THE, UH, ATTACHMENT B, I THINK, UH, OR A OR B FOR THIS ITEM. THEY ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THEY, "DO NOT HAVE RECORDS RESPONSIVE TO OUR REQUEST," FOR DOCUMENTED NON-COMPLIANCE. THE BOARD NOW HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT STATEMENT FROM HCD'S OWN LEGAL AFFAIRS DIVISION TO ASK HCD TO FORMALLY REFLECT IT IN THEIR CERTIFICATION LETTER. WE'RE NOT ASKING HCD TO CHANGE THEIR POSITION, WE'RE ASKING THEM TO BE CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THEY'VE ALREADY TOLD US IN WRITING. - HELLO. GAYA KEMPER, 1725 GRAY HILL ROADS. THE COUNTY THROUGH EMAILS TO THE DIRECTOR OF HCD IN MAY OF 2024, AND AGAIN MORE, UH, RECENTLY AT THE DE NOVO HEARING [03:05:01] FOR 841 CAPITOLA HAVE OUTRIGHT STATED THAT THEY BELIEVE THE COUNTY WAS IN COMPLIANCE BY MARCH 15TH. AT THAT DE NOVO HEARING ON FEBRUARY 10TH OF THIS YEAR, A BOARD MEMBER ASKED ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STEPHANIE HANSEN ABOUT THE EVENTS SURROUNDING THE ORIGINAL CERTIFICATION LETTER. SHE STATED THAT THE COUNTY "WAITED 40 DAYS" TO GET ITS CERTIFICATION LETTER AFTER BEING NOTIFIED THAT HCD WAS "GOOD TO GO." THIS ECHOES THE STATEMENTS IN THE EMAIL SHE SENT TO DIRECTOR VELASQUEZ OF HCD IN MAY OF 2024. IN WHICH THE PERIOD BETWEEN MARCH 15TH AND APRIL 23RD WAS REFERRED TO AS A "A 40 DAY DELAY IN CERTIFICATION." THE LETTER THAT THE BOARD IS CONSIDERING IS NOT OUT OF LEFT FIELD, IT'S THE LOGICAL NEXT STEP AFTER RECEIVING A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM HCD'S LEGAL AFFAIRS DIVISION, THAT THE SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW OF THE COUNTY'S HOUSING ELEMENT WAS, IN FACT, CONCLUDED BY MARCH 15TH. AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION. UM, WHY DOES IT TAKE SO LONG, 40 DAYS, TO SEND A SIMPLE LETTER FROM ONE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT TO ANOTHER BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT? WHEN I WAS WORKING, IF MY STAFF TOOK THAT LONG TO SEND A LETTER, THERE WOULD BE BIG QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. - RYAN SANKARA. I ALSO LIVE IN LIVE OAK, PRETTY CLOSE. UH, AS SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS SAID, UH, A LETTER WAS ALREADY, UH, REISSUED WITH A DIFFERENT DATE, UH, THEY CAN DO IT AGAIN AND GET THE DATE RIGHT THIS TIME. A LITTLE BIT OF ADDITIONAL COLOR, UH, WHEN HCD SENT THEIR ORIGINAL CERTIFICATION LETTER ON APRIL 23RD, 2014, THEY NOTIFIED THE COUNTY FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT ACTUAL DEADLINE FOR CERTIFICATION WAS APRIL 15TH, NOT APRIL 29TH, AS EVERYBODY ELSE INVOLVED IN, UH, UP TO THAT POINT HAD ASSUMED. AND ALTHOUGH THE COUNTY HAD MET EVERY REQUIREMENT, HCD'S OWN CONFUSION ABOUT THE DEADLINES MEANT THAT THE ORIGINAL LETTER ARRIVED LATE. UM, AND THE COUNTY DID PUSH BACK AND, UH, AS YOU KNOW, EVEN, EVEN EARLIER, UM, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR STEPHANIE HANSEN WROTE DIRECTLY TO HCD IN MAY OF 2024 DOCUMENTING THE TIMELINE CONFUSION. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE ERROR REQUESTING RELIEF. AMONG THE CONSEQUENCES THAT ASSISTANT DIRECTOR MENTIONED WAS, UH, THE FOUR BUILDER'S REMEDY PROJECTS, INCLUDING 841, WHICH A LOT OF US ARE HERE TO- TO, UM, TALK ABOUT. SO, UM, SENATOR LAIRD'S GOT- OFFICE GOT INVOLVED, UM, HCD RESPONDED BY ISSUING A CORRECTED LETTER AS WE KNOW, UH, BUT WITH THE WRONG DATE ON IT. SO THEY'RE ABLE TO MAKE THE CHANGE AND ALL YOU ARE DOING IS ASKING THEM TO MAKE THE CHANGE THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE A FULLY ACCURATE, UH, LETTER. AND, AND THIS WHOLE THING IS, IS REALLY A TRAVESTY THAT THESE, UH, DEVELOPERS SLIPPED INTO THIS SLIVER OF A, OF AN ACTUALLY NON-LEGALLY SUPPORTABLE DEADLINE TO BASICALLY PUT SKYSCRAPERS INTO RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS. THANKS. - HELLO. I'M ED KEMPER, 1725, GRAY SEAL. I ALSO THEN LIVE IN THE TARGET AREA, I, LIVE OAK. UM, I GUESS I'LL SUMMARIZE WHAT A LOT OF FOLK HAVE SAID, THAT WE DIDN'T CREATE THE EVIDENTIARY RECORD. THE GOVERNMENT CREATED IT, IN SOME CASES SHARED IT WITH US UPON OUR REQUEST. WE JUST READ IT CAREFULLY AND CONNECTED THE DOTS. THIS MATTERS WHEN THE BOARD SENDS THIS LETTER, IF YOU DO, UH, TO HCD, THAT, UH, YOU'RE NOT ASKING HCD TO ACCEPT SOMEBODY ELSE'S ARGUMENT. YOU'RE A- ASKING HCD TO ACT ON THEIR OWN FINDINGS, THEIR OWN RECORDS AND THEIR OWN ADMISSIONS. THIS IS A VERY DIFFERENT AND MUCH STRONGER POSITION TO BE IN. THANKS. - HELLO, I'M LYNN SHAKAN. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 5. I WANNA MAKE CLEAR THAT THIS FIGHT IS NOT JUST ABOUT ONE BUILDING ON ONE ROAD. THERE ARE THREE ACTIVE BUILDER'S REMEDY PROJECTS ACROSS SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ON CAPITOLA ROAD, PAUL SUITE ROAD, AND ONE ON GRAHAM HILL ROAD IN MY DISTRICT CALLED THE HAVEN. [03:10:02] RESIDENTS FROM EACH OF THESE COMMUNITIES ARE HERE TODAY WORKING TOGETHER. BECAUSE WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE, NOR THE COUNTY, SHOULD BE PUNISHED BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ADMINISTRATIVE DELAY IN ISSUING HCD CERTIFICATION LETTER. FORTUNATELY, THE COUNTY WAS ABLE TO SECURE A BACKDATED LETTER THAT ALLEVIATED YOUR PENALTY, WE ASK THAT YOU SECURE A SIMILAR LETTER FOR US. BEYOND SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, OTHER JURISDICTIONS ACROSS CALIFORNIA ARE WATCHING THIS. WHAT HAPPENS HERE COULD AFFECT HOW THE LAW IS INTERPRETED FOR COMPLIANT COUNTIES STATEWIDE. THE OFFICES OF ASSEMBLYMEMBERS PELLERIN AND ADDIS AND SENATOR LAIRD'S OFFICE ARE ALL ENGAGED. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS UNJUST FOR COUNTY OFFICIALS AND RESIDENTS TO BE PUNISHED WITH ONEROUS AND UNSUSTAINABLE BUILDER'S REMEDY PROJECTS. NOT BECAUSE THE COUNTY WAS OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR HOUSING ELEMENT, BUT BECAUSE HCD WAS SLOW IN SENDING CERTIFICATION OF THAT COMPLIANCE. THE BACKLOGGED AND BROKEN SYSTEM IS A PROBLEM FOR EVERY COMMUNITY IN CALIFORNIA. IF THE BOARD CHOOSES TO SEND THIS LETTER, YOU WILL BE ACCOMPLISHING SO MUCH MORE THAN CORRECTING ONE CERTIFICATION DATE. YOU'LL BE DEMONSTRATING YOUR BELIEF THAT JURISDICTIONS ACTING IN GOOD FAITH SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR THE STATE'S ADMINISTRATIVE ERRORS. YOU'LL BE ACTING ON PRINCIPLE AND IN THE BEST INTEREST OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS. WE'RE ASKING YOU TO TAKE ACTION YOU CAN TAKE PRIDE IN TODAY. - GOOD AFTERNOON. IT'S NOT THE MORNING ANYMORE. MY NAME IS... I'M GONNA TALK FAST 'CAUSE I ONLY HAVE TWO MINUTES. MY NAME IS REAGAN KINGSFORD. I LIVE AT 245 SPREADING OAK DRIVE. THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, FOR YOUR POINTS. I AM NOW A STAY-AT-HOME MOM. I WAS AN ATTORNEY AND I USED TO WORK FOR A DEVELOPER DOWN IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. GENERAL COUNSEL, I DO NOT HAVE MUCH SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVELOPER. I'M NOT SAYING I'M AGAINST DEVELOPMENT, NOT AT ALL. BUT UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE BUILDER'S REMEDY WAS NOT INTENDED FOR THIS. I'VE READ THE STATUTE, IT'S BEEN A WHILE. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT I BELIEVE THE STATUTE SAYS, SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE, IT DOES NOT SAY CERTIFICATION LETTER. SO ALL WE ARE ASKING IN THIS INSTANCE IS THAT YOU ARE ASKING A LETTER TO BE BACK, NOT BACKDATED WHATEVER YOU WANNA CALL IT. WE JUST WANTED IT, THEM TO CONFIRM THAT YOU WERE IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE, WHICH IS WHAT THE RECORD ALREADY REFLECTS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE DOCUMENTS IN THE PRA, THERE ARE THREE MAIN FACTS. ONE, NO SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW WAS CONDUCTED BY HCD AFTER MARCH 15TH. HCD'S LEGAL AFFAIRS DIVISION HAS CONFIRMED THIS. SECOND, THERE ARE NO RECORDS SHOWING NON-COMPLIANCE AFTER MARCH 15TH. THIS IS ESTABLISHED BY HCD'S OWN ADMISSIONS. THIRD, HCD HAS PREVIOUSLY ISSUED A CORRECTED BACKDATED- I WANNA CALL IT BACKDATED LETTER, TO PROVIDE RELIEF TO THE COUNTY FROM THE 23RD TO THE- I FORGOT THE DATE, THE 12TH. IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT PRA RESPONSE AND THE DOCUMENTS PROVIDED IN THIS PUBLIC RECORD, YOU CAN FIND THEM. THEY'RE ONLINE. ANYONE CAN LOOK THEM UP. IT'S CLEAR THAT THEY DIDN'T GO BACK FAR ENOUGH. WE WERE, THE COUNTY WAS IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE WITH THE HOUSING ELEMENT. RESPECTFULLY, THE LETTER TO HCD SHOULD BE NARROW AND GROUNDED IN HCD'S OWN RECORD. PLEASE CONFIRM, BASED ON YOUR OWN DOCUMENTS, THAT SUBSTANTIVE REVIEW WAS COMPLETED BY MARCH 15TH AND REFLECT THAT IN YOUR CORRECTED CERTIFICATION. YOU AREN'T ASKING H- ASKING HCD TO DO SOMETHING NEW, DIFFICULT OR RISKY, YOU'RE SIMPLY ASKING THEM TO BE CONSISTENT WHAT THEIR OWN AGENCY HAS ALREADY PUT IN WRITING. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY. - HELLO. TO ME, THIS SEEMS LIKE A SITUATION WHERE THE RUBBER OF A POORLY WRITTEN LEGISLATION, POORLY THOUGHT OUT LEGISLATION MEETS THE ROAD OF IMPLEMENTATION. WHEN THE PARTY ON THE SHORT END OF A DECISION HAS TO GO THROUGH THE LEGAL PROCESS TO GET AN ANSWER TO WHAT SHOULD BE A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION: WHEN WAS THE COMPLIANCE, YOU KNOW, EFFECTUATED? UH, TO ME THAT KIND OF BUTTRESSES THE POINT. APPARENTLY THERE IS A WORKAROUND, AS EVERYONE HAS, HAS HEARD. THE COUNTY WAS ABLE TO GO THROUGH HCD BECAUSE THEY WERE ALSO IN A DIFFICULT POSITION OF THE UPDATING OF THE, UM, UH, WHATEVER YOU CALL THE PROCESS OF THE WHATEVER. AND, AND SO NONETHELESS - THANK YOU. NONETHELESS, THEY, UM, WERE ABLE TO GET HELP FROM THE COUNTY, FROM HCD. GIVEN THAT THE COUNTY WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION, VERY CLEAR IMPRESSION THAT AS OF MARCH 15TH, 2024, THEY WERE IN COMPLIANCE GIVEN THAT THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY RECEIVED RELIEF FROM THE HCD. I SAY SEND THIS BACK TO HCD AND LET THEM CONNECT THEIR OWN DOTS. [03:15:03] THIS IS ALL THEIR OWN, UH, EVIDENCE AND LET THEM COME UP WITH A VIABLE EXPLANATION FOR WHAT'S GOING ON HERE. HOW CAN YOU HAVE THREE DIFFERENT DATES FOR THE SAME EVENT? THE ORIGINAL DATE, UH, APRIL 23RD, THE BACK DATE OF DATE, APRIL 12TH, AND THE ACTUAL DATE MARCH 15TH. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK ALL ANYBODY WANTS IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS IS TO BE ABLE TO COME OUT OF A SITUATION AND SAY, YEAH, WE GOT A FAIR SHAKE. OKAY, FINE. MAYBE WE DIDN'T MAKE THE BEST ARGUMENT, THAT'S WHY WE LOST. MAYBE THERE WAS BETTER EVIDENCE ON THE OTHER SIDE. THAT'S WHY WE LOST. BUT WHEN YOU, WHEN THERE IS EVIDENCE ON THE TABLE FROM THE HCD IN THEIR OWN INTER-AGENCY MEMOS AND TO THE COUNTY, WHEN ALL THAT EXISTS AND YOU'RE EXPECTING, YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS THAT YOU GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING, YOU'RE EXPECTING US TO WALK AWAY AND JUST FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT? PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING. IT'S A SMALL LIFT. THANKS SO MUCH. - HI, CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? MY NAME'S MOLLY BRAY. I LIVE AT 1751 GRACE HILL ROAD. I'M LEGALLY BLIND, SO I CAN'T SEE WHERE YOU GUYS ARE ALL SITTING BUT I WANTED TO JUST THANK, UH, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, AND SUPERVISOR KOENIG FOR, AS YOU SAID, UM, EXHAUSTING ALL OPTIONS FOR, YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT HELP THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER IT HELPS YOU GUYS OR NOT, UH, I DON'T KNOW. BUT, UM, I ALSO WANTED TO, JUST ON A RANDOM NOTE FROM EARLIER, I WANTED TO THANK SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ AND SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ FOR, UH, THE SHIELD PROGRAM OR I'M NOT SURE IF YOU CALL IT A PROGRAM, BUT THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. I THINK THAT'S REALLY AN IMPORTANT THING FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND FOR THE LARGER COMMUNITY. SO, ANYWAY, THANK YOU. - JACK DESTORIES, UH, DISTRICT 5, I THINK THE CASE HAS BEEN MADE PRETTY WELL HERE THAT THIS REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE. UM, MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT I THINK TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE, AND ANY, UH, ATTEMPT TO DELAY THE REQUEST, I THINK, ONLY PUTS THE COUNTY IN GREATER JEOPARDY, NOT IN LESS JEOPARDY. SO, I WOULD EMPHASIZE THAT ACTING ON THIS, UM, TO AT LEAST HAVE THE AMMUNITION IN PLACE FOR FUTURE DECISIONS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE YOU NEED TO HAVE THAT AMMUNITION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND NOT BE DELAYING IT UNTIL SOME OF THESE DEVELOPERS GET FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD AND APPLICATIONS COME UP FOR, UH, DECISIONS, UH, WITHOUT THAT INFORMATION IN FRONT OF YOU. THANK YOU. - SEEING NO FURTHER SPEAKERS IN THE ROOM, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ON THE PHONE? - YES, CHAIR. CURRENTLY, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER ONLINE. CALLING USER 1, YOUR MICROPHONE'S NOW AVAILABLE. - WOW. AND I LEARNED A LOT. THANK YOU TO ALL THE SPEAKERS AND I REALLY APPRECIATE, I THINK IT WAS YOU, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS WHO SAID, OUR RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE, NOT THE DEVELOPERS. I'M IN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM 25 TO WRITE THE LETTER TO ESSENTIALLY CORRECT THE RECORD. IT SEEMS TO ME ALSO THAT SINCE IT SOUNDS LIKE IF I'VE GOT THIS RIGHT, I'M JUST LISTENING ON THE PHONE, THAT 831 CAPITOLA PROJECT WAS APPROVED WHEN IT SEEMS LIKE IT WAS NON LEGALLY BINDING DECISION TO APPROVE IT, UM, BECAUSE THE COUNTY WAS ALREADY IN SUBSTANTIAL COMPLIANCE BY MARCH 15TH. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER INDICATION OF DEVELOPER CORPORATION POWER AND DOMINATION AND, UM, RUINATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT OVER PEOPLE AND NATURE. AND I'M DEFINITELY IN SUPPORT OF THIS LETTER AND IT'S PRETTY APPALLING WHAT'S BEEN DISCLOSED HERE. UM, THANK YOU, UM, FOR PEOPLE POWER, NOT CORPORATION POWER. THANK YOU. - ANY FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE? - NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE, CHAIR. - THANK YOU. UM, BRINGING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. UM, I'LL- I- LET ME START BY SHARING THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, AS I SAID DURING THE PRIOR HEARING, LIKE, I AM COMPLETELY AS FRUSTRATED AS EVERY PERSON IN THIS ROOM BY THE BUILDER'S REMEDY SCENARIO. [03:20:03] THIS IS A, IT'S A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION THAT COUNTIES HAVE BEEN PUT IN ACROSS THE STATE, AND THERE ARE A VARIETY OF LEGISLATIVE AND LEGAL EFFORTS TO TRY TO PUSH BACK ON WHAT'S HAPPENING AND THEY'RE, AND IT'S JUST CONTINUES TO BE A WORK IN PROGRESS. UM, YOU KNOW, I AM NOT OPPOSED TO POTENTIALLY SEEKING CLARIFICATION BUT GIVEN THAT WE ARE, WE GOT THIS ON THURSDAY NIGHT, FRIDAY, AND WE'RE HEARING FROM COUNTY COUNSEL TODAY ABOUT THEIR POTENTIAL LEGAL RISKS, AND, UM, WE, AS A BOARD, VOTED AN APPROVAL THROUGH BASED ON PRIOR INFORMATION, DIFFERENT INFORMATION JUST AS A, AS A DUE DILIGENCE, AS A GOVERNING BOARD MEMBER, I WOULD LIKE FURTHER INFORMATION, UM, PRIOR TO VOTING TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. UM, BECAUSE WE MADE DECISIONS BASED ON PRIOR INFORMATION. UM, THAT'S, THAT'S JUST HOW I'M FEELING. UM, IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT I LIKE WHERE WE'RE AT. IT DOES NOT MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE GOT AN ANSWER FROM THE STATE AND I DIDN'T LIKE THAT ANSWER, JUST LIKE VERY- OTHERS AS WELL. UM, BUT THAT'S MY CONCERN. UM, SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MAKE A MOTION TO JUST PASS RECOMMENDED ACTION NUMBER TWO, WHICH IS TO DIRECT COUNTY STAFF TO REPORT BACK TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS ON MARCH 24TH ON POTENTIAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CLARIFICATION FOR PENDING BUILDER REMEDY PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY. SO THAT WAY WE CAN JUST BE FULLY INFORMED, UM, PRIOR TO RECOMMENDED ACTION NUMBER ONE. UM, BUT THAT'S- THAT'S THE MOTION THAT I'D LIKE TO MAKE TODAY. AND I WOULD NEED A SECOND. OTHERWISE, THAT MOTION'S GONNA DIE. - I'LL SECOND IT. - OKAY, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DIALOGUE ON THAT MOTION? - UM, SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - YEAH. UM, I APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN ENSURING THERE'S NO, NO LEGAL RISKS HERE. WHAT- I MEAN, WHAT I HEARD FROM COUNTY COUNSEL IS THAT NOT A SIGNIFICANT RISK IN JUST SENDING THE LETTER AND GETTING AN ANSWER. UH, I MEAN, CERTAINLY, THERE COULD BE AS FAR AS DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE WITH THAT INFORMATION AND HOW THAT INFORMATION IS INTERPRETED IN THE FUTURE, BUT THAT THE ACTUAL ACT OF SENDING THIS REQUEST AND ENGAGING WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, I MEAN, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU WANNA CLARIFY. - YEAH. WELL, I DON'T WANT TO CLARIFY. I WANT TO- I WANT TO REPEAT WHAT I SAID, WHICH IS IT IS NOT ILLEGAL TO SEND A LETTER ASKING FOR INFORMATION OR ASKING FOR SOMETHING. BUT PUTTING THAT IN MOTION COULD HAVE NEGATIVE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES TO THE COUNTY. - WHEN YOU SAY PUTTING, I MEAN PUTTING THAT IN MOTION, LIKE THIS ACTION ITSELF, PUT SOMETHING IN MOTION. I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND AGAIN, THAT THERE ARE FUTURE DECISION- - IT DOES FROM A, UH, FROM A, FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE BECAUSE I, I CAN'T CONTROL OR SPECULATE ABOUT WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WITH YOUR REQUEST IN THE FUTURE WITH YOUR BOARD'S REQUEST IN THE FUTURE. AND, UM, AND, UM, WITHOUT THIS ITEM, I HAD MORE CLARITY AROUND THAT, YOU KNOW, WITH THIS ITEM. I THINK THE IMPORTANT THING FOR YOUR BOARD TO REALIZE IS JUST THAT YOU ARE, YOU ARE INVITING OR ACCEPTING SOME KIND OF RISK TO THE COUNTY. AND IF YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, YOU CAN DO THAT IN THE SAME WAY THAT SOMEONE, UM, YOU KNOW, IT'S, IT'S NOT NECESSARILY ILLEGAL TO BREACH A CONTRACT, FOR INSTANCE. YOU JUST HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES, WHICH IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YOU NEED TO PAY FOR IT. SO, YOU KNOW, THAT'S- THAT'S KIND OF, THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT. IT'S, IT'S, UM, YOU KNOW, YOU COULD ASK AND LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE. IT'S LIKE YOU COULD ASK HCD FOR THIS INFORMATION. WELL, I ALREADY SAID THIS ACTUALLY IS, THAT IS HCD COULD COME BACK AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, THE INFORMATION WE GAVE YOU THE FIRST NUMBER OF TIMES WAS INCORRECT AND SO NOW WE'RE GONNA CHANGE OUR MIND WE'RE GONNA GIVE YOU A NEW LETTER. AND THAT SAYS X. SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN FOR YOUR BOARD? DOES YOUR BOARD THEN- IS YOUR BOARD THEN PUT IN A POSITION WHERE YOU'RE GONNA HAVE TO TAKE ACTION TO DO SOMETHING REGARDING THESE DEVELOPMENTS THAT IS GOING TO UNDERMINE WHAT THE DEVELOPERS HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS BASED ON OUR REPRESENTATIONS? AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN I'M PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THERE'S GONNA BE A LAWSUIT THAT'S GONNA COME OUT OF THAT. WHAT THAT LAWSUIT LOOKS LIKE WHETHER OR NOT WE'RE SUCCESSFUL ULTIMATELY, AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHO PAYS FOR WHAT AND HOW MUCH MONEY IT'S GONNA COST IS, THOSE ARE ALL SPECULATIVE THINGS, RIGHT? SO THE MOST I CAN DO FOR YOU RIGHT NOW FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE, NON POLICY PERSPECTIVE, IS JUST, IS JUST TELL YOU THAT THE LAW IS WHAT IT IS. WE'VE, WE'VE TOLD YOU A FEW DIFFERENT TIMES, IT IS WHAT IT IS. NOTHING'S CHANGED IN BETWEEN THE LAST TIME WE TOLD YOU WHAT IT IS, AND NOW IF YOU WANT TO USE YOUR DISCRETION, WHICH YOU HAVE AS A BOARD TO DO THIS, YOU ARE ABLE TO DO IT, YOU ARE ABLE TO DO IT. UM, AND THAT'S- I'VE SAID MY PIECE. [03:25:06] - SO GIVEN THAT, THAT'S- THAT'S SORT OF THE BASIS OF WHERE I'M COMING FROM AS FAR AS LIKE, I WOULD LIKE TO BUT HAVE MORE TIME TO UNDERSTAND THE RISKS, THE, UM, AND LIABILITY AND COSTS, AND HOW WE PAY FOR, UM, ANY ACTIONS THAT WOULD COME FROM THIS. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT I LIKE WHERE WE'RE AT WITH THE BUILDER'S REMEDY THING. I DO NOT LIKE WHERE WE ARE AT. I DO NOT, YOU KNOW, JUST BECAUSE I DON'T LIKE AN ANSWER DOESN'T MEAN THAT, UH, I CAN CHANGE IT. RIGHT? AND SO THAT'S, I, I, THAT'S JUST WHERE I'M COMING FROM. I WOULD LIKE MORE TIME TO UNDERSTAND. - WELL, I'LL JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF RISK IN EVERYTHING WE DO. AND I THINK IN THIS INSTANCE, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR THAT HCD MADE A MISTAKE. WHAT THAT MEANS AFTERWARDS IS UNCLEAR. BUT I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY AND GET SOME CLARIFICATION. AND OUR STATE LEGISLATORS HAVE SAID THAT THEY'D BE WILLING TO ASK THESE QUESTIONS AND HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. I MEAN, I REMEMBER AT THE BEGINNING OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WE HAD OUR, UM, YOU KNOW, OUR, UM, SANCTUARY POLICIES FOR IMMIGRANTS AND FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE LGBTQ, AND THEY THREATENED TO TAKE AWAY OUR FEDERAL FUNDING. AND WE DECIDED WE WERE GONNA DOUBLE DOWN ON THAT IN THE- IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT WE MIGHT LOSE FUNDING. AND YES, THERE'S BEEN SOME IMPACTS HERE AND THERE, UM, BUT WE STAYED COMMITTED TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO STAY COMMITTED TO THE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO REPRESENT THEM. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE OUTCOME'S GONNA BE. THEIR LAWSUIT MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT MAYBE BEFORE US BECAUSE MAYBE THEY CAN'T MOVE FORWARD WITH THE LAWSUIT THAT WE GOT REC- WE GOT ADVICE ON WHICH TALKED ABOUT, YOU KNOW, FIVE TIME PENALTIES FOR EVERY SINGLE UNIT BECAUSE IT, THE LAWSUIT MAY BE IN OUR FAVOR. THE COURTS MAY ALLOW THEM TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS SMALLER THAN WHAT THEY'RE PROPOSING RIGHT NOW. 'CAUSE WE'RE NOT SAYING DON'T BUILD, WE'RE JUST TRYING TO GET CLARIFICATION ON WHAT WILL TRIGGER THE BUILDER'S REMEDY. AND SO, AND THERE MAY BE, THERE ARE PLENTY OF TIMES WHERE WE GET IN LAWSUITS AND WE SETTLE. SO I THINK THAT THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REALLY DEMONSTRATE TO THE PEOPLE WHO VOTED US IN THE OFFICE THAT WE REPRESENT THEM, AND WE WANT OUR STATE LEGISLATORS WHO REPRESENT THEM AS WELL TO WEIGH IN ON THIS BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SEEM FAIR. AND WE CAN, YOU KNOW, FIGURE OUT HOW WE'LL DEAL WITH THE RISK, YOU KNOW, WHEN THE TIME COMES. MAYBE HCD MAY SUBMIT A LETTER AND SAY, "NOPE, WE DON'T AGREE WITH YOU." IN WHICH CASE, YOU KNOW, IT'S GONNA FAVOR THE DEVELOPERS. THEY MAY SAY THEY DO AGREE WITH US, WHICH MAY BENEFIT THE RESIDENTS. BUT I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO DO IN ORDER TO PUSH BACK AGAINST A BAD POLICY. AND THIS IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE BEFORE US TODAY. AND SO, I APPRECIATE THE- THE CONCERN AROUND RISK AND STOPPING, DELAYING, AND, YOU KNOW, WE CAN FIND OUT MORE. IN THE MEANTIME, I, I'D BE HAPPY WITH, YOU KNOW, US MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS AND THEN GETTING A REPORT BACK. YOU KNOW, WHEN THIS LET- IF WE GET FEEDBACK FROM HCD, GETTING A REPORT BACK ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN NOW IN TERMS OF OUR ABILITY TO EITHER, YOU KNOW, MAYBE WE DON'T MESS WITH 831 WATER, AND MAYBE IT WILL HELP, YOU KNOW, ADDRESS ISSUES ON THE GRAHAM HILL ROAD PROJECT. MAYBE IT'LL HELP ADDRESS ISSUES ON THE PAUL SUITE ROAD PROJECT. WE'LL HAVE OPTIONS BEFORE US, UM, WHEN THIS, WHEN THE DETERMINATION COMES BACK. BUT AT A MINIMUM, WE NEED TO GET THIS DETERMINATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. SO, I'M- I'M- I'M GONNA, YOU KNOW, I'D BE HAPPY TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION IF THAT'S NECESSARY BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH SUPPORTING OUR RESIDENTS HERE TODAY. - ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - I AGREE THAT I'M NOT SUPPORTIVE OF DELAY AT THIS TIME. I MEAN, I HEAR LOUD AND CLEAR THAT, UH, YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT- THAT THE DATE OF THE CERTIFICATION IS NOT THE ONLY FACTOR IN OUR CONSIDERATION, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT BY SENDING THE LETTER THAT WE ARE- WE'RE- WE'RE- WE'RE NOT DENYING ANY PROJECTS. WE'RE NOT, I MEAN, THERE'S NO ACT OF INTERPRETATION OF THE LAW BY SENDING THIS LETTER. WE'VE, WE'VE REQUESTED A CHANGE THE DAY BEFORE, AND ALL WE'RE DOING IS DOING THAT AGAIN. UM, AND, UH, I, I THINK IF NOTHING ELSE, EVEN IF THIS IS A, JUST A POLICY DISCUSSION, NOT A LEGAL DISCUSSION, THAT IS, NOW IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, AND THE DELAY WOULD, WOULD HARM IT. - I DO WANNA ASK. UM, I APPRECIATE THE LAST PORTION YOU SAID ABOUT IT, UH, FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD AND KIND OF LOOK INTO WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS MAY BE. BUT, SO ITEM 25 IS SIMPLY ASKING FOR THE LETTER. NOTHING ELSE ABOVE THAT. ANYTHING ELSE THAT WOULD NEED TO COME BEFORE US, IT WOULD, I MEAN, ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE WOULD WANNA DO WOULD HAVE TO COME BEFORE US. - WELL, IT'S ASKING IT, IT'S ASKING HCD TO BACK, TO- TO- TO ISSUE A LETTER CONFIRMING A DIFFERENT DATE FOR THE HOUSING ELEMENT CERTIFICATION. - CORRECT. - THAT'S WHAT IT'S ASKING FOR. [03:30:01] - BUT WE'RE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION TODAY, UH, REGARDING THAT DATE CHANGE. - NO, NO. YOU, YOU ARE NOT TAKING... YOU ARE NOT TAKING ANY ACTION, UM, THAT WOULD, THAT WOULD... - PUT US IN JEOPARDY OF, OR RISK. - WELL, I, YOU KNOW WHAT? I- I- I- I- I FEEL LIKE I'VE ALREADY AN, I'VE, I'VE ALREADY... - BEAT A DEAD HORSE. - YEAH. I FEEL LIKE I WOULD BE BEATING A DEAD HORSE AND I DON'T WANNA, I DON'T WANNA BECOME THE SIXTH BOARD MEMBER. I'VE GIVEN YOU THE LEGAL ADVICE, I'VE GIVEN YOU GUYS IT NUMEROUS TIMES AROUND THIS, AND SO I THINK YOU HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON WHAT IS BEFORE YOU RIGHT NOW. I CAN'T GIVE YOU ANY DIFFERENT LEGAL ADVICE THAN I'VE GIVEN YOU. - OKAY. - THANK YOU. UM, I, I AM GONNA CALL THE CLERK FOR A VOTE ON THE MOTION THAT WAS FROM MYSELF. THE SECOND THAT WAS FROM SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. AND I MIGHT JUST SAY BEFORE THAT VOTE THAT AGAIN, I'M NOT OPPOSED TO EVENTUALLY SEEKING CLARITY. I THINK I WANT TO BE REALLY MINDFUL OF THE RESOURCES THAT ARE- THAT BELONG TO THE COUNTY, BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW TO DO THIS IN THE MOST DILIGENT WAY. I FEEL LIKE I'VE SEEN A LETTER FROM HCD THAT DOES CLARIFY THIS. SO, BETTER UNDERSTANDING WHAT OUR LEGISLATOR, OUR LEGISLATORS ARE ASKING FOR, WHAT NEEDS TO BE CLARIFIED THAT'S SOMETHING... I HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR STATE LEGISLATORS. UM, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT THAT. AND SO, UM, SO I AM HOPING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING THIS BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING, UM, WHICH IS WHAT THE MOTION IS. YEP. - I'M GONNA MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT WE MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS. - SECOND. - WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS AND A SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. ANY FURTHER- I'M SORRY, SUPERVISOR KOENIG. ANY FURTHER, UM, DISCUSSION ON THE SUBSTITUTE MOTION, WHICH IS THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS? - SO, I'M JUST GONNA START BY SAYING NOT MY AREA OF EXPERTISE. SO, A LOT OF THIS IS VERY CONFUSING, BUT FROM WHAT I CAN SEE IN THE STAFF REPORT, THE LETTER WOULD BE, UH, JUST ASKING FOR CLARIFICATION. I HEARD SOMETHING ELSE HERE THAT WAS ASKING THEM TO CHANGE THE DATE. COULD SOMEBODY HERE CLARIFY WHAT IT IS WE'RE ASKING? - WE'RE ASKING THEM TO CHANGE THE DATE. - TO CORRECT. - TO CORRECT THE DATE. - TO CORRECT THE DATE. SURE. - THAT'S A DIFFERENT INTERPRETATION. - AS WE HAVE, AND AS THEY'VE GRANTED IN THE PAST. - TO CORRECT THE DATE BASED ON FACTS. - YES. - THAT ARE BEFORE THEM. - YES. - OKAY. THANK YOU. - AND I'D ALSO JUST ADD THAT, UM, THE LETTER ALSO BE SENT TO OUR, OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES. - THANK YOU. - SHE'S WRITING. MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? - YES. SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - AYE. - DE SERPA. - AYE. - HERNANDEZ. - AYE. - CUMMINGS. - AYE. - MARTINEZ. - NO. MOTION PASSES, 4 TO 1. AND AS THE CHAIR, I'D BE HAPPY TO WRITE THIS LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD BASED ON WHAT WAS PASSED BY THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD. - I CAN ALSO ADD THE, YOU KNOW, WE CAN ALSO SUBMIT WE CAN SEND YOU A LETTER DRAFT AND THEN YOU CAN AMEND IT. - YEAH. BE HAPPY TO DO THAT. - OKAY. - YEAH. UM, SO IT IS NOW 12:34. WE ARE GOING TO BREAK FOR LUNCH. WE HAVE A CLOSED SESSION. DO WE HAVE ANYTHING REPORTABLE FROM CLOSED SESSION? - NO. - ALRIGHT, WE WILL BE BACK AT 1:30 FOR OUR EMPLOYMENT RECOGNITION AWARDS, AND THEN THE FINAL ITEM. [SILENCE] - RECORDING IN PROGRESS. [10. Present the 2025 Employee Recognition Awards] - GOOD AFTERNOON. UM, WELCOME TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING. UM, WE HAD NOTHING REPORTABLE FROM CLOSED SESSION. SO NOW I'M GONNA CALL OUR 1:30 SCHEDULED ITEM WHICH IS OUR EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS. SO GLAD TO SEE ALL OF YOU HERE TODAY. UM, AND I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF INTRODUCING THE FIRST CATEGORY AND SO I BELIEVE I'M SUPPOSED TO GO STAND UP THERE. SO, LET ME RELOCATE. - HEY, CHAIR MARTINEZ. I THINK I'M DOING AN INTRODUCTION RIGHT BEFORE YOU DO THE FIRST CATEGORY. [LAUGHS] I'M LOOKING AT CAITLYN. YEAH. - ALL RIGHT. CEO COBURN, TAKE IT AWAY. - ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. UM, GOOD AFTERNOON, CHAIR MARTINEZ AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. [03:35:02] SO TODAY, WE ARE PLEASED TO PRESENT THE 2025 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS. EACH YEAR, THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PRESENTS THESE AWARDS TO RECOGNIZE AND SHOW APPRECIATION FOR THE OUTSTANDING WORK COUNTY EMPLOYEES PERFORM EVERY DAY IN SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. THESE AWARDS HIGHLIGHT INDIVIDUALS AND TEAMS WHO EXEMPLIFY THE VERY BEST OF PUBLIC SERVICE. THOSE WHO GO ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR ROLES TO SOLVE COMPLEX PROBLEMS, IMPROVE COUNTY PROGRAMS, AND MAKE MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. SPECIFICALLY, THE BOARD RECOGNIZES EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE, ONE, SOLVED AN EXTRAORDINARY PROBLEM FOR THE COUNTY AND/OR ACHIEVED AN OUTSTANDING ACCOMPLISHMENT THAT FURTHERED THE COUNTY'S GOALS. TWO, IDENTIFIED OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT AND IMPLEMENTED INNOVATIVE IDEAS. OR THREE, DEMONSTRATED EXCEPTIONAL EFFORT AND DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE PUBLIC OVER THE PAST YEAR. SO TODAY, WE WILL RECOGNIZE EMPLOYEES ACROSS FIVE CATEGORIES. GENERAL GOVERNMENT IS THE FIRST, HEALTH SERVICES, THE SECOND, FOLLOWED BY HUMAN SERVICES, THEN PUBLIC SAFETY AND JUSTICE. FINALLY, LAND USE AND REGULATORY. EACH BOARD MEMBER IS GOING TO PRESENT PROCLAMATIONS TO RECIPIENTS IN ONE OF THESE CATEGORIES. BOARD MEMBERS ARE GOING TO COME DOWN TO THE- FROM THE DAIS AND STAND AT THE MICROPHONE TO ANNOUNCE THE AWARD RECIPIENTS. WHEN EMPLOYEES HEAR THEIR NAME OR THEIR TEAM'S NAME, PLEASE COME FORWARD TO THE DAIS TO RECEIVE YOUR PROCLAMATION. FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATIONS, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A RECEPTION UPSTAIRS ON THE FIRST FLOOR OUTSIDE IN THE ATRIUM, AND EVERYONE IS INVITED TO STAY AND JOIN US IN CELEBRATING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THESE EXCEPTIONAL EMPLOYEES. SO WITH THAT, WE'RE GONNA BRING THE- BEGIN THE AWARD CEREMONY WITH SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ PRESENTING THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT CATEGORY. AND, UM, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO'S HERE TODAY. - THANK YOU, CEO COBURN. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. THIS IS A LOT BRIGHTER OF A TOPIC THAN SOME THAT WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH TODAY AND IN PAST MEETINGS. SO TODAY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF INTRODUCING OUR AWARDEES FOR THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT CATEGORY. AND FOR OUR INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT CATEGORY, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE LORI WELCH BETTENCOURT. COME ON UP, LORI. [CHEERS][APPLAUSE] WHICHEVER YOU FEEL MOST COMFORTABLE. LORI IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE AIDE IN THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE, WITH A SPLIT ROLE SERVING BOTH THE CLERK OF THE BOARD, AND CANNABIS LICENSING. AND SHE'S RECEIVING THIS AWARD TODAY FOR THE ROLE SHE PLAYS IN OVERSEEING THE ADMINISTRATION OF OUR COUNTY'S CALIFORNIA PUBLIC RECORD, RECORDS ACT SYSTEM NEXT REQUEST. SINCE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF NEXT REQUEST, THE COUNTY HAS SEEN STEADY YEAR OVER YEAR GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF PUBLIC RECORDS ACTS, ALSO KNOWN AS PRAS. UM, THESE REQUESTS HAVE ALSO BECOME MORE COMPLEX, OFTEN REQUIRING THE REVIEW REDACTION AND RELEASE OF HUNDREDS AND SOMETIMES THOUSANDS OF RECORDS. LORI PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE IN COORDINATING COMPLEX RESPONSE ACROSS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS. SHE WORKS CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS TO DEVELOP NEW RESPONSE TEMPLATES, AND IMPROVE EXISTING ONES AND TAKES TIME TO MEET WITH, TRAIN AND SUPPORT DEPARTMENT PRA LIAISONS. WITH LORI'S ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND TIMELY REMINDERS, THE COUNTY SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED 897 REQUESTS IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, AVERAGING JUST 15 DAYS FROM SUBMISSION TO CLOSURE. LORI APPROACHES HER ROLE WITH POSITIVITY, ENTHUSIASM, PROFESSIONALISM, AND EXCEPTIONAL DEDICATION. AND HER LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL TO THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF OUR PRA PROGRAM. THANK YOU, LORI, FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE SUCCESS OF THE COUNTY'S PRA PROGRAM, AND FOR YOUR DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE TO THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ. CONGRATULATIONS. [CHEERS][APPLAUSE] - CONGRATULATIONS, LORI. [03:40:06] - ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT CATEGORY IS THE TEAM AWARD FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENT, AND THE WINNER OF THE TEAM AWARD FOR GENERAL GOVERNMENT CATEGORY IS THE CLERK TEAM, WHICH INCLUDES CLERK IIIS LORENA BIBRIESKA-CAMACHO, UH, YVAN, SORRY, YVONNE LEONOR, AND FRANCISCO RENTERIA. SENIOR ACCOUNTANT CLERK DAISY WILLIAMS AND PROGRAM COORDINATOR MARGARITA WILLIAMS. COME ON UP HERE, EVERYBODY. [APPLAUSE] - THERE YOU ARE. I'LL GIVE THIS TO YOU A MINUTE. COME ON UP. WE GOT THREE OF YOU. ANYBODY ELSE? - WE'RE MISSING TWO. - THAT'S OKAY. THEY'RE PROBABLY WORKING HARD. THE CLERK TEAM IS BEING HONORED TODAY FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING SERVICE OPTIONS, RESPONDING QUICKLY AND COMPASSIONATELY TO CHANGING FEDERAL POLICIES, AND PROVIDING EQUITABLE, RELIABLE SERVICES THAT BUILD TRUST IN THE COMMUNITY. FOR THE PAST YEAR, THE CLERK TEAM HAS MAINTAINED STAFF AT THE SOUTH COUNTY SERVICES CENTER IN WATSONVILLE, DELIVERING SERVICES NEARER TO RESIDENTS AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE IN SPANISH TO REDUCE BARRIERS AND IMPROVE COMMUNITY CONNECTION. THE TEAM ALSO CONTINUED THE PASSPORT SATURDAY EVENTS, OFFERING PASSPORT ACCEPTANCE SERVICES ON SEVERAL SATURDAYS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, MAKING IT EASIER FOR RESIDENTS TO ACCESS SERVICES OUTSIDE OF REGULAR WEEKDAY HOURS. COME ON UP, WELCOME. YOU'RE JUST IN TIME. ANYBODY ELSE? [LAUGHS] OKAY. THE PAST YEAR ALSO BROUGHT A GREAT DEAL OF UNCERTAINTY FOR MANY SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RESIDENTS. AS COMMUNITIES FACED RAPIDLY CHANGING INFORMATION RELATED TO IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT, QUESTIONS ABOUT BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP, AND NEW FEDERAL GUIDANCE AFFECTING GENDER IDENTITY DOCUMENTATION. THESE CHANGES HAVE CREATED UNDERSTANDABLE CONCERN FOR IMMIGRANT MIXED STATUS AND GENDER DIVERSE FAMILIES SEEKING CLEAR INFORMATION AND SUPPORT. THE CLERK TEAM RESPONDED QUICKLY BY INCORPORATING UPDATED FEDERAL GUIDANCE INTO THEIR WORK AND ENSURING THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT WAS PREPARED TO EXPLAIN THE CHANGES CLEARLY AND CONSISTENTLY. THROUGHOUT THIS TIME, THEY APPROACHED THE PUBLIC WITH PROFESSIONALISM, PATIENCE, AND EMPATHY. THROUGH THESE EFFORTS, THE CLERK TEAM HAS STRENGTHENED PUBLIC TRUST, SUPPORTED ACCURATE AND RESPONSIVE SERVICES, AND HELPED ADVANCE THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE AND ACCESSIBLE SERVICES FOR ALL SANTA CRUZ COUNTY RESIDENTS. CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CLERK TEAM AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY. [APPLAUSE] COME ON UP. CAN WE TAKE A PICTURE? [INAUDIBLE] I DON'T KNOW IF THERE'S ANY CAMERAS, BUT TAKE A PICTURE. CONGRATULATIONS. - THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] - NEXT UP, WE HAVE SUPERVISOR KOENIG, WHO'LL BE PRESENTING THE AWARDS IN HUMAN SERVICES. - ALL RIGHT. FIRST UP, IN OUR HUMAN SERVICES CATEGORY, WE HAVE THE INDIVIDUAL AWARD FOR JESSICA SERCENNA. JESSICA, ARE YOU HERE? [APPLAUSE] COME ON UP. OH, OKAY. WELL, YOU ARE A FANTASTIC STAND IN FOR JESSICA. YOU CAN MODEL THE AWARD HERE. UM, WE HAVE LOTS OF NICE THINGS TO SAY. JESSICA IS A PROGRAM MANAGER IN THE IN-HOME SUPPORTIVE SERVICES DIVISION OF THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND IS RECEIVING THIS AWARD TODAY FOR HER EFFORTS TO IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY AND COMPLIANCE ENSURING TIMELY SUPPORT FOR RESIDENTS WHO RELY ON IHSS. THIS PAST YEAR, JESSICA LED A TARGETED EFFORT TO RESOLVE COMMUNITY FIRST CHOICE OPTION NON-COMPLIANCE FOR IHSS, DRIVING PERFORMANCE TO NEARLY 100% COMPLIANCE AND CFCO REASSESSMENTS, WHICH SAVED THE COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN PENALTIES. JESSICA ALSO LED AN EFFORT TO IMPROVE IHSS INTAKE ASSIGNMENTS WHICH LED TO 85% OF ALL CASES BEING PROCESSED TIMELY ABOVE THE CURRENT THRESHOLD OF 80%. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ALSO RESULTED IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY [03:45:02] BEING REMOVED FROM THE STATEWIDE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTION PLAN CORRECTIVE PLAN, AND POSITION SANTA CRUZ AS A TOP PERFORMING COUNTY. IT'S ALWAYS, ALWAYS GOOD TO GET OFF THE BAD BOY LIST. UM, JESSICA MANAGED THESE IMPROVEMENTS DESPITE SIGNIFICANT VACANCIES AND REPEATEDLY STEPPING IN TO FILL CRITICAL GAPS TO PROTECT THE CONTINUITY OF SERVICE FOR OVER 3,000 DISABLED COMMUNITY MEMBERS. JESSICA'S CLARITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, UNWAVERING DEDICATION, AND SOLUTIONS-FOCUSED APPROACH STABILIZE THE IHS PROGRAM AND ENSURE TIMELY UNINTERRUPTED SERVICES FOR RECIPIENTS. THANK YOU, JESSICA, FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO IMPROVING OUR IHSS PROGRAM, AND CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] UM, WE KNOW JESSICA IS BUSY HELPING SO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. - YEAH. - ALL RIGHT, AND NOW WE HAVE THE TEAM AWARD IN HUMAN SERVICES. THIS IS FOR THE CALWORKS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TEAM. SO, UH, THIS INCLUDES... [APPLAUSE] ALL RIGHT. EXCELLENT. COME ON UP. EMPLOYMENT TRAINING SPECIALIST II, NICOLE WILLIAMS; SOCIAL- SOCIAL WORKER II, TANYA CARRANCO; SENIOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING SPECIALIST, ALICIA EREZ; SOCIAL WORKER SUPERVISOR II, BARRY DAHMER; AND PROGRAM MANAGER, KATIE SHAVALIER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY. IN EARLY 2025, THE CALWORKS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES TEAM IDENTIFIED A CRITICAL SERVICE GAP AFFECTING CALWORKS FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, AND RESPONDED BY LAUNCHING THE HOUSING CONNECTION PILOT TO REDUCE BARRIERS AND ACCELERATE ACCESS TO HOUSING SUPPORTS. THE TEAM BROUGHT HOMELESS REFERRALS IN-HOUSE TO CREATE WARM HANDOFFS, STREAMLINE COORDINATION, AND EXPEDITE PLACEMENT IN THE HOUSING QUEUE FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN. HOUSING CONNECTORS COMPLETED EXTENSIVE LEADERSHIP, IMPLEMENTED MONTHLY CHECK-INS TO PROMOTE CONTINUOUS PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS, AND ENSURE LONG-TERM SUSTAINABILITY. AND SINCE ENROLLING THE FIRST CLIENT ON MAY 22ND, 2025, THE PILOT HAS RECEIVED 72 REFERRALS AND SUCCESSFULLY CONNECTED 23 FAMILIES TO HOUSING PROGRAMS WITH REMAINING FAMILIES ACTIVELY QUEUED PENDING PROGRAM AVAILABILITY. THE INSTITUTE, TO INSTITUTIONALIZE AND REPLICATE THE SUCCESSFUL MODEL, THE TEAM DEVELOPED COMPREHENSIVE POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND STEP-BY-STEP GUIDANCE FOR FUTURE CONNECTORS, DEMONSTRATING A STRONG COMMITMENT TO CUSTOMER SERVICE, MEASURABLE OUTCOMES, AND DURABLE SOLUTIONS TO FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR HARD WORK ON THIS PROJECT, AND EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING TO HELP OUR UNHOUSED FAMILIES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] WOULD ANY OF YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE PROJECT? - NICOLE. NICOLE. - YOU SPOKE BEAUTIFULLY. THANK YOU. - WE, WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. AND, UM... - WE'LL TAKE, WE'RE MISSING A COUPLE PEOPLE, SO... - TAKE A PHOTO? - SURE. - ALL RIGHT. - HERE'S FOR THE PHOTO. - YEAH. - ALL RIGHT. - GREAT. - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] - AND NEXT UP IS SUPERVISOR DE SERPA, WHO WILL BE PRESENTING THE AWARDS IN THE HEALTH SERVICES CATEGORY. [APPLAUSE] -  GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. UM, THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE ALSO NOMINATED FOR THESE AWARDS AND I JUST WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT, UM, THAT WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT ALL EMPLOYEES, AND WE'RE SO PLEASED THAT YOU'RE ALL HERE TODAY, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS. THIS AWARD IS FOR THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF HEALTH SERVICES, TODAY IS BETH, MARY BETH CURLEY. COME ON UP, MARY BETH. MARY BETH CURLEY IS A SUPERVISING MENTAL HEALTH CLIENT SPECIALIST IN THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIVISION OF THE HEALTH SERVICES AGENCY. AND THIS IS VERY SPECIAL TO ME BECAUSE I WORKED MOST OF MY CAREER IN THE INTENSIVE CARE NURSERY WHERE I WORKED WITH BABIES, AND I STILL ACTUALLY WORK AT SUTER WITH TINY BABIES AND MAMAS. SO, THIS IS VERY SPECIAL WHAT YOU'RE DOING. SO, CONGRATULATIONS. LAST YEAR, AS A RESULT OF THE NEW CHILD WELFARE MANDATE GOING INTO AFFECTING CALIFORNIA, CHILD WELFARE SERVICES BEGAN REFERRING NEWBORN BABIES TO CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT. PRIOR TO LAST YEAR, CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH HAD ONLY TREATED CHILDREN OVER THE AGE OF THREE, BUT THIS WAS A HUGE PROCEDURAL SHIFT, [03:50:02] NECESSITATING CAREFUL RESEARCH AND PLANNING TO ACCOMMODATE TREATING THIS NEW POPULATION. MARY BETH TOOK UP THIS CHALLENGE AND EMBARKED ON RESEARCHING AND DEVELOPING NEW POLICIES, PROCEDURES TO MEET THE NEEDS FOR TREATING NEWBORNS AND INFANTS. MARY BETH CONNECTED WITH STANFORD NEURODEVELOPMENTAL CLINIC, WHERE I USED TO WORK, PARENT CENTER AND MANY OTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD TREATMENT PROGRAMS, TO ENSURE THAT THE CLINICIANS THAT SHE SUPERVISES WERE EDUCATED ON PROPER TREATMENT AND ASSESSMENT OF THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF NEWBORN. AS A RESULT OF MARY BETH'S LEADERSHIP, CHILDREN'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH IS NOW WELL EQUIPPED, CONFIDENT, AND RESPONSIVE IN MEETING THE COMPLEX BEHAVIORAL HEALTH NEEDS OF NEWBORNS AND INFANTS IN FOSTER CARE. THANK YOU, MARY BETH, FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS PROJECT. AND CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] - THANK YOU. WOW. AND ALSO ANOTHER PROGRAM VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. THE WINNER OF THE TEAM AWARD IN THE HEALTH SERVICES CATEGORY IS THE MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT TEAM, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF HEALTH SERVICES- COME ON UP. HEALTH SERVICES MANAGER, DANNY CONTRERAS. [APPLAUSE] - YEAH, BRING THE WHOLE TEAM UP. COMMUNITY MENTAL HEALTH AID, SANTIAGO MADRIGAL. AND MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS, ALEJANDRO MONROY, AND THERE'S A LOT OF THEM. ANGELICA TORRES, GABRIELLE TAPIA BAR-BAJARANO, IZABEL BALLESTEROS, JOSE FERNANDEZ, AND MARISSA, MARISSA HERNANDEZ. DO WE HAVE EVERYBODY UP? - I GOT, I GOT SOME MORE PEOPLE. - YOU HAVE MORE. - YEAH. IF WE, YOU GUYS WANNA COME UP THAT'S PART OF OUR TEAM. - COME ON UP, EVERYONE. [APPLAUSE] MEDICATION ASSISTED TREATMENT TEAM IS COMPOSED OF COMPASSIONATE AND HIGHLY DEDICATED PROFESSIONALS WHO SERVE ON SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE- WITH SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE SUFFERING FROM SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER. THROUGH INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING, GROUP SERVICES AND COORDINATED CARE, THE MAT TEAM HAS HELPED PARTICIPANTS ACHIEVE SOBRIETY, SECURE HOUSING, GAIN EMPLOYMENT, REUNITE WITH FAMILY MEMBERS, AND BUILD HEALTHIER FUTURES FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE TEAM PROVIDES SERVICES ACROSS COUNTY CAMPUSES WITH- WITHIN HOMELESS SERVICES PROGRAMS, AND THROUGH DIRECT OUTREACH AND ENCAMPMENTS ON THE STREETS, MEETING INDIVIDUALS WHERE THEY ARE IN A NON-JUDGMENTAL HARM REDUCTION APPROACH THAT FOSTERS TRUST, ENGAGEMENT, AND LASTING CHANGE. THE MAT TEAM'S INNOVATIVE AND COMPASSIONATE APPROACH HAS STRENGTHENED THE COUNTY'S BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SYSTEM AND SAVED COUNTLESS LIVES. YOU KNOW, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. THEIR LIVES AND HELPS TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE THEIR LIVES, RIGHT? AND IS WIDELY RECOGNIZED AS A MODEL FOR OTHER CLINICS LOCALLY AND BEYOND. THE WORK OF THE MAT TEAM EXEMPLIFIES EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND DEMONSTRATES THE PROFOUND IMPACT OF MEETING PEOPLE WITH DIGNITY, RESPECT, AND UNWAVERING SUPPORT. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOU, FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [CROSSTALK] - IT'S REALLY GREAT TO SEE YOU. - YEP. THANK YOU. - YEAH. - THANK YOU. - WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER A LONG TIME. - WE DID. - LONG TIME AGO. - I WANNA SAY, I'LL TRY TO KEEP IT REALLY SHORT, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. UH, I'VE BEEN OUT OF PRISON 15 YEARS. I DON'T THROW THAT ALL THE WAY OUT JUST SO EVERYBODY CAN KNOW MY BUSINESS. BUT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WHEN YOU INVEST IN PEOPLE AND SHOW THAT THEY HAVE UNCONDITIONAL SIGNIFICANCE, THERE'S STUFF THAT CAN HAPPEN AND CHANGE. I ALSO WANT TO POINT OUT MONICA MARTINEZ, WHEN SHE USED TO RUN UH, USED TO BE CALLED HOMELESS SERVICE CENTER NOW IT'S HOUSING MATTERS. I WAS, HER AND SHELLY WERE THE FIRST PEOPLE THAT GAVE ME A JOB AS A AB 109 CASE MANAGER. AND UH, AND THEN WHEN I GOT TO THE COUNTY, WHERE- AMY, WHERE'S AMY? WHEN SHE TOOK, WHEN, UH, YOU KNOW, I GOTTA, YOU GOTTA WORRY ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND CHECK. SHE'S LIKE, "WE ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU. WE WANT YOU." AND SO WHEN PEOPLE AND MY BOSS, RAQUEL, RIGHT THERE, UH, WHEN PEOPLE SHOW THAT INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE, IT GIVES THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THE WORK THAT THEY NEED TO DO AND BECAUSE OF THAT, [03:55:02] WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD A TEAM. UH, WE GOT TWO OTHER PEOPLE, I'M GONNA SAY THEIR NAMES 'CAUSE THEY'RE, THEY'RE SICK RIGHT NOW; CINDY GARBE AND JIMMY RODRIGUEZ, WHO ARE ABLE TO GO OUT INTO THE STREETS, INTO THE CLINICS, AND THEN TEACH PEOPLE OR REACH PEOPLE THAT SOMETIMES OTHER PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO REACH. RIGHT? AND THEN, I DON'T KNOW, YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT UNCONDITIONAL SIGNIFICANCE IS, RIGHT? OKAY. UH, WHEN PEOPLE KIND OF UNDERSTAND THAT IT CHANGES THEIR LIVES, YOU KNOW. WHEN SOMEBODY COMES IN, I- I GOT A LETTER LAST WEEK FROM A LADY THAT, UH, CAME IN THROUGH THE NEEDLE EXCHANGE IN 2017, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IMPACT I WAS GONNA HAVE ON HER. JUST, AND SAME THING, ALL OF THEM HAVE THESE STORIES. UH, SHE WROTE ME A LETTER THE OTHER DAY, NOW SHE'S WORKING AS A COUNSELOR. SHE'S A CASE MANAGER. SHE'S ABOUT TO GET A DEGREE, AND SHE WAS, TO ME, SHE PUT IN THERE, SHE SAID, "THIS GUY'S BEEN MY HERO BECAUSE HE SEEN SOMETHING IN ME WHEN I COULDN'T SEE IT IN MYSELF." AND SO, TO ME, NOT TO TOOT MY HORN, IT'S SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL, YOU KNOW, TO WATCH SOMEBODY COME FROM THE STREETS OR WHEREVER THEY'RE AT IN THEIR LIFE CIRCUMSTANCES AND SITUATIONS TO BE THRIVING AND DOING WELL, AND I FEEL LIKE OUR TEAM IS ABLE TO DO THAT. SO I THANK YOU GUYS FOR RECOGNIZING US THIS YEAR. [CHEERS][APPLAUSE] - WE NEED TO TAKE ANOTHER PICTURE. - WE GOTTA LOOK AT ONE PICTURE. MY EYES ARE TWISTED. - SORRY. - ONE, TWO, LOOK AT ME. WE'RE PROUD OF YOU. - CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. NEXT UP IS SUPERVISOR JUSTIN CUMMINGS, WHO WILL BE PRESENTING THE AWARDS IN THE CATEGORY OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY. - ALL RIGHT. GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. UM, I'D LIKE TO JUST START BY THANKING ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY. UM, WE COULDN'T BE THE AMAZING COUNTY THAT WE ARE WITHOUT ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF YOUR DEDICATION TO THIS COMMUNITY. SO, THANK YOU SO MUCH. IN THE, UM, CATEGORY OF JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THE WINNER OF THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD IN THE CATEGORY- IN THIS CATEGORY IS AJLA HUSIC. SO, AJLA, IF YOU'RE HERE, COME ON NOW. AJLA SERVES AS THE LEAD IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY FOR THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, AND SHE'S RECEIVING THIS AWARD TODAY IN RECOGNITION OF HER COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING SOCIAL EQUITY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AJLA ESTABLISHED AND LEADS A PADILLA UNIT AT THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE THAT PROVIDES TIMELY IMMIGRATION GUIDANCE TO ATTORNEYS REPRESENTING NON-CITIZEN CLIENTS FACING CRIMINAL CHARGES, HELPING ENSURE THAT EVERY PERSON RECEIVES AN INFORMED AND FAIR REPRESENTATION. HER SPECIALIZED EFFORTS ON POST-CONVICTION RELIEF UNDER PENAL CODE SECTION 14730.7 HAVE HELPED INDIVIDUALS OBTAIN RELIEF FROM CONVICTIONS THAT COULD OTHERWISE CREATE SEVERE IMMIGRATION CONSEQUENCES, OFFERING THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MOVE FORWARD. AJLA ALSO CO-LEADS A REMOVAL DEFENSE WORKING- WORKING GROUP THAT HOSTS WORKSHOPS AND PROVIDES DIRECT SUPPORT TO COMMUNITY MEMBERS AT RISK OF DEPORTATION, OFFERING CRITICAL INFORMATION DURING UNCERTAIN TIMES. DRAWING ON HER LIVED EXPERIENCE AS A REFUGEE, AJLA BRINGS DEEP COMPASSION AND PERSPECTIVE TO HER WORK STRENGTHENING TRUST AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO MEANINGFUL SUPPORT. THROUGH BOTH DIRECT CLIENT ASSISTANCE AND SYSTEM ADVOCACY, SHE ADVANCES FAIRNESS AND INCLUSION WHILE HELPING INDIVIDUALS NAVIGATE SOME OF LIFE'S MOST CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES. FOR THESE REASONS, WE'RE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE AJLA FOR DEDICATION AND SERVICE. SO, THANK YOU, AJLA, FOR MAKING A LASTING DIFFERENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND CONGRATULATIONS. [CHEERS] [APPLAUSE] - SMILE. SMILE, BABY. ONE SECOND. CAN WE GET THE FAMILY TOO, PLEASE? - YES. YES. - ONE, TWO, THREE, AND SMILE. - ALL RIGHT. THE WINNER OF THE TEAM AWARD IN THE JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY CATEGORY IS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION UNIT, WHICH IS COMPRISED OF, AND AS I SAY YOUR NAMES, PLEASE COME UP. UH, JACK CALHOUN, DETECTIVE JACK CALHOUN, DETECTIVE JESSICA ROSS, DETECTIVE AJ WALTRIP, DETECTIVE ELIZABETH INGLEHART, AND SERGEANT MARQUIS BOOTH. SO, IF YOU CAN ALL COME UP HERE. [APPLAUSE] [04:00:13] SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS UNIT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING BOTH ADULT AND JUVENILE VICTIMS. MANAGING CASES THAT FREQUENTLY INVOLVE SIGNIFICANT EVIDENTIARY EMOTIONAL AND LEGAL COMPLEXITIES. DETECTIVES IN THIS UNIT CONDUCT TRAUMA-INFORMED INTERVIEWS, PROCESS FORENSICS AND DIGITAL EVIDENCE, COORDINATE WITH SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSES EXAMINERS, AND WORK CLOSELY WITH- CLOSELY, I'M SORRY, AND WORK CLOSELY IN ADVOCACY PARTNERS SO THAT SURVIVORS RECEIVE THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES THEY NEED. IN 2025, THE UNIT WAS ASSIGNED OVER 290 CASES, REFLECTING BOTH THE BREADTH AND INTENSITY OF THEIR WORKLOAD. YET DESPITE THESE DEMANDING VOLUMES, THE TEAM CONTINUES TO DELIVER TIMELY, THOROUGH, AND VICTIM-CENTERED INVESTIGATIONS THAT MEET THE NEEDS OF SURVIVORS, PARTNER AGENCIES, AND PROSECUTORS. A SIGNIFICANT EXAMPLE OF THE UNIT'S CAPABILITIES BEGAN AUGUST, 2024, WHEN A REPORT INVOLVING A 14-YEAR-OLD VICTIM EXPANDED INTO A COMPLEX MULTI-AGENCY INVESTIGATION, UNCOVERING THE EXPLOITATION OF MULTIPLE JUVENILES, AND THROUGH EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATIVE WORK, COORDINATED COUNTYWIDE COLLABORATION, ENCLOSED PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE UNIT SECURED THE SUSPECT'S CONVICTION, AND A 25 YEAR STATE PRISON SENTENCE IN, IN SEPTEMBER, 2025. BEYOND THE COURT DUTIES, THE UNIT ALSO MANAGES SPECIALIZED INVESTIGATIONS CRITICAL TO PUBLIC SAFETY, INCLUDING IN CUSTODY, SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES UNDER THE PRISON RAPE ELIMINATION ACT INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE, MATERIAL, AND TECHNOLOGY FACILITATED EXPLOITATION AND CASES RELATED TO VIOLATIONS OF SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS. FOR THE PROFESSIONALISM, DEDICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND SURVIVOR-CENTERED CARE, WE RECOGNIZE AND THANK THE MEMBERS OF THE SEXUAL ASSAULT INVESTIGATION UNIT FOR THEIR IMPORTANT- THEIR IMPORTANT SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU ALL. [APPLAUSE] - SMILE, EVERYONE. YOU LOOK GREAT. - THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] - ALL RIGHT, AND SO NEXT UP, WE HAVE SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ WHO WILL BE PRESENTING AWARDS IN THE LAND USE AND REGULATORY CATEGORY. - SO IN THE LAND USE, REGULATORY, THE WINNER OF THE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD IN THE CATEGORY OF LAND USE AND REGULATORY IS MARIANA COLIBRI-URGO. COME ON UP, MARIANA. [CHEERS] [APPLAUSE] MARIANA COLIBRI-URGO IS A PARK PLANNER III IN THE PARKS DEPARTMENT, AND SHE IS RECEIVING THIS AWARD TODAY BECAUSE SHE DEMONSTRATES EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP, TECHNICAL SKILLS, AND COMMITMENT TO EQUITY THROUGH THE DELIVERY OF MULTIPLE HIGH IMPACT PARK PROJECTS OVER THE PAST YEAR. MOST NOTABLY, MARIANA LED THE DESIGN AND OPENING OF- OF THE PAJARO COUNTY PARK. THE FIRST NEW COUNTY PARK IN OVER 20 YEARS. PROVIDING SOUTH COUNTY RESIDENTS ACCESS TO 38 ACRES OF OPEN SPACE UNDER A TIGHT BUDGET AND SCHEDULE CONSTRAINTS. MARIANA ALSO DELIVERED MAJOR PARK UPGRADES, INCLUDING AN ACCESSIBLE ARTIST INTEGRATED PLAYGROUND AT FLORAL COUNTY PARK, AND A LONG DELAYED PERMANENT RESTROOM AT HIDDEN BEACH COUNTY PARK. ALONGSIDE THESE EFFORTS, MARIANA ADVANCED NATURAL RESOURCE RESTORATION AND WATER QUALITY INITIATIVES AND EQUITABLE COASTAL ACCESS THROUGH BILINGUAL ENGAGEMENT, SIGNAGE AND PLANNING EFFORTS. THROUGH HER PERSEVERANCE, MENTORSHIP, AND COMMITMENT TO INCLUSIVE PUBLIC SERVICE, MARIANA HAS ADVANCED MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE COUNTY PARKS THAT HAVE ENHANCED QUALITY OF LIFE THROUGH THE COUNTY, ESPECIALLY TO RESIDENTS IN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU, MARIANA, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, YOUR PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] [04:05:04] - THANK YOU. - IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT SPECIAL PROJECTS CREW, THE WINNER OF THE TEAM AWARD IN THE LAND USE AND REGULATORY CATEGORY IS THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE SPECIAL PROJECTS CREW, COMPRISED OF PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKER, LONNIE FROST, RYAN KINCH AND HECTOR CISNEROS; MAINTENANCE WORKER III KEVIN FERRIS, RICKY PLACENCIA; PUBLIC WORKS MAINTENANCE WORKER IV, GILBERT MACIEL; PUBLIC WORKS SUPERVISOR, GABINO MOSQUERA; ENGINEERING ASSOCIATE ARIEL CRAIG; AND BUILDING PLANS CHECKER, JOHN WILLIAMS. COME ON UP, EVERYBODY. [APPLAUSE] - ARE THEY IN ORDER? ARE THEY IN ORDER? ARE THEY IN ORDER? - ARIEL? - YES. - WHERE'S ARIEL? - HERE. - HERE YOU GO. AND GABINO MOSQUERA. DO YOU WRESTLE? - MY SON. - [LAUGHS] AND NEXT WE HAVE GILBERT MACIEL. HECTOR CISNEROS. JOHN WILLIAMS. - THANK YOU. - AND KEVIN FERRIS. - AYE. - LONNIE- LONNIE FORST. - THANK YOU. - RICKY PLACENCIA. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, RYAN KINCH. - APPRECIATE IT. - THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE, CDI, SPECIAL PROJECTS CREW DELIVERED AN EXCEPTIONAL IMPROVEMENT TO TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BY COMPLETING A RECORD SETTING ROAD STRIPPING SEASON IN 2025. FACING LONG STANDING BACKLOGS- LOGS, LIMITED STAFFING AGING EQUIPMENT. IN THE ABSENCE OF THEIR MOST EXPERIENCED OPERATOR, THE TEAM SHIFTED FROM REACTIVE APPROACH TO A COORDINATED HIGH OUTPUT STRATEGY ACROSS ALL FIVE SUPERVISORIAL DISTRICTS THROUGH RAPID SKILL DEVELOPMENT, CAREFUL SCHEDULING, AND DISCIPLINED EXECUTION. UNDER STRICT WEATHER AND TIME CONSTRAINTS, THE CREWS STRIPED MORE THAN 200 MILES OF ROADWAY IN A SINGLE SUMMER, OVER EIGHT TIMES THE PRIOR YEAR'S OUTPUT, AND THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE RECENT COUNTY HISTORY. THIS ACHIEVEMENT SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCED ROADWAYS, DEMONSTRATED EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP OF PUBLIC RESOURCES, AND STRENGTHENED PUBLIC TRUST AND ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES. THANK YOU TO THE CDI SPECIAL PROJECTS CREW FOR THEIR HARD WORK EXPERTISE AND COMMITMENT TO KEEPING OUR ROADS SAFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS. CONGRATULATIONS. [CHEERS] [APPLAUSE] - SORRY. SLOW. ANOTHER ONE. THANK YOU. - OKAY. AND I'M GONNA LEAVE THIS RIGHT HERE FOR... - THANK YOU. - THANK YOU, THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. UM, I WANT TO EXTEND ONE MORE DEEP GRATITUDE TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. UM, IT'S A TRUE ACCOMPLISHMENT AND WE'RE SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU WORK ON BEHALF OF COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ SERVING OUR RESIDENTS. SO, ONE MORE ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR EVERYBODY. [APPLAUSE]  AND WITH THAT, UM, AS CEO COBURN SHARED, YOU'RE ALL INVITED TO GO TO THE FIRST FLOOR ATRIUM TO ENJOY A LITTLE RECEPTION. UM, UNLESS YOU'RE INTERESTED IN A DISCUSSION ABOUT BUDGET PRIORITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 26-27, WHICH IS WHAT WE'LL BE DOING. [LAUGHS] [04:11:26] WHAT IF WE REGROUP AT 2:15? - OKAY. - WE'LL TAKE A BRIEF RECESS AND REGROUP AT 2:15. [04:16:01] - LET'S DO IT. TURN THIS BACK ON. EVERYONE PUT THEIR CALM APPLICAT- OR YOU KNOW, APP ON AND JUST MEDITATE. JUST TAKE SOME DEEP BREATHS. - ALL RIGHT. [9. Consider report on foundational budgeting principles to guide development of the Proposed Fiscal Year 2026-27 Budget, and take related actions] WELCOME BACK. WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO OUR FINAL REGULAR AGENDA ITEM, WHICH IS ITEM NUMBER NINE, CONSIDERING A REPORT ON FOUNDATIONAL BUDGETING PRINCIPLES TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSED FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 BUDGET AND TAKE RELATED ACTIONS. SO, I BELIEVE WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM CEO COBURN. - THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON. UM, SO THIS AFTERNOON I'M GONNA BE PRESENTING THIS ITEM WITH ASSISTANT CEO ELISA BENSON, WHO I THINK IS MANAGING THE SLIDES. - ALMOST. - ALMOST. JUST WAIT FOR THEM TO COME UP. OH, THERE WE GO. UM, SO NEXT SLIDE. SO, UM, WE WERE JUST BEFORE YOU AT THE- OUR LAST MEETING IN FEBRUARY, TO TALK ABOUT OUR MID-YEAR FINANCIAL OUTLOOK, AND PROVIDE OUR MID-YEAR BUDGET REPORT. UM, SO THIS, YOU HAD ASKED US THEN TO RETURN TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT WE'RE USING TO GUIDE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT. AND SO, UM, THAT'S WHAT WE'RE HERE TO DO TODAY. TODAY THE PURPOSE IS TO ASK, TO SEEK BOARD ALIGNMENT ON THOSE PRINCIPLE BUDGETING, UM, THE BUDGETING PRINCIPLES THAT WE OUTLINED, REALLY TO START A DIALOGUE ON STRATEGIC BUDGET PRIORITIES THAT THE BOARD AND THE CEO HAVE AND TO GUI- USE ALL OF THESE TO GUIDE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 THROUGH 2027. UM, THIS IS A POLICY CONVERSATION. WE DON'T WANNA GET INTO THE WEEDS TODAY ABOUT INDIVIDUAL LINE ITEMS IN THE BUDGET. UM, IT'S REALLY ABOUT AT A HIGH LEVEL, WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO THE BOARD? AND SO, WE ARE GONNA WALK THROUGH SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE THINKING ABOUT TO KIND OF START, UM, THE CONVERSATION TODAY. [04:20:01] WHEN WE PRESENT THE PROPOSED BUDGET TO YOU IN MAY, THAT IS THE POINT WHEN WE'LL GET INTO THE DETAILS OF WHAT I AM RECOMMENDING FOR PARTICULAR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES. AND AT THAT POINT, WE CAN TALK ABOUT SPECIFIC TRADE-OFFS, AND WHAT THE BOARD IS THINKING IF YOU WANT TO SHIFT MONEY AROUND. BUT I'M REALLY ASKING YOU TODAY TO STAY KIND OF AT THE HIGHER LEVEL. SO, I'M GONNA TURN IT OVER TO ELISA TO KICK US OFF. - IT DOESN'T LIKE ME, THE CLICKER. YES. UH, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. WE COVERED, UH, THIS SLIDE AT THE LAST MEETING AROUND WHAT WE'RE ALREADY DOING TO REALLY ATTEND TO OUR FISCAL SITUATION. UM, I, I'LL JUST RUN THROUGH IT VERY QUICKLY. WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A HIRING AND TRAVEL FREEZE, IT'S ONLY THROUGH EXEMPTIONS- EXCEPTIONS THAT, THAT WE ARE, WE ARE ASKING OUR DEPARTMENTS TO CONSIDER THOSE CHOICES VERY CAREFULLY. WE HAVE, AT YOUR DIRECTION, ENGAGED WITH OUR LABOR PARTNERS. WE HAD OUR FIRST ALL PARTNERS MEETING LAST WEEK. AND UH, I THINK EVERYONE APPRECIATED THAT OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT TO TALK ABOUT THE FISCAL REALITY, TO TALK ABOUT PAST PRACTICE, AND START THAT CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT DATA THEY NEED, WHAT DATA WE CAN PROVIDE, HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. AND WE CONTINUE TO, UH, REALLY BE IN THE THICK OF EVALUATING OUR DEPARTMENT BUDGETS, UH, THEIR PROPOSALS, AND UNDERSTANDING HOW- WHAT IDEAS, UM, AND PROPOSALS THAT THEY'VE PUT FORWARD TO ADDRESS BEING BALANCED. SO, WE ARE, WE WILL BE CONTINUING TO DO THAT IN PREPARATION OF THAT BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR YOU IN THE, UH, BEGINNING OF MAY. AND UH, SO THAT'S JUST SORT OF THE ONGOING TO SORT OF GET US ACROSS THE FINISH LINE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR, GET US ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN THE BLACK. UM, SO THAT'S ALL WORK THAT IS UNDERWAY. AND REALLY THE NEXT PART OF OUR CONVERSATION IS THAT LARGER POLICY CONVERSATION OF HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD FROM HERE. NOT JUST FOR THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR, BUT TO REALLY GET AT THAT STRUCTURAL DEFICIT. WE WILL TRY IT AGAIN. ALL RIGHT. SO, WE SPOKE LAST AT THE LAST MEETING THAT RIGHT NOW IF WE DON'T MAKE SOME CHANGES, WE ARE PROJECTING A $23 MILLION APPROXIMATE GAP IN, UH, 20... IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. AND THAT IS NOT INCLUDING, YOU KNOW, UP TO A $25 MILLION IMPACT FROM HR1. WE SEE THAT AGAIN, WITH- IF WE DON'T TAKE ACTIONS ACCORDINGLY UM, GOING UP TO, YOU KNOW, 67 MILLION IN THE FOLLOWING FISCAL YEAR. UM, THIS IS NOT A SINGLE YEAR FIX. WE- THIS IS GONNA TAKE, UM, MULTIPLE YEARS TO WORK- WORK ON THIS LARGER FISCAL- FISCAL, UM, STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE. I WANNA JUST TAKE A MOMENT, UM, TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SAID, THE- THE- THE PERFECT STORM WE'RE IN, WHERE WE HAVE FEDERAL AND STATE PRESSURES, AS WELL AS LOCAL COST PRESSURES, UH, THAT ARE REALLY IMPACTING THIS MOMENT. YOU HAVE A BLURRY PICTURE OF THE ADOPTED PRINCIPLES THERE AND I WANTED TO SORT OF CONTEXTUALIZE THAT. THAT BLURRY PICTURE OF THE ADOPTED PRINCIPLES, UH, BUDGET PRINCIPLES, THERE ARE SEVEN DIFFERENT AREAS OF PRINCIPLES IN THAT THERE IS PUBLIC INPUT, GENERAL BUDGET PRINCIPLES, RESERVES AND CONTINGENCIES, USE OF RESOURCES, COST RECOVERY, INVESTMENT POLICIES AND DEBT POLICIES, 07, 27 DIFFERENT PRINCIPLES. AND WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT TODAY IS REALLY A SYNTHESIS, AN INTERPRETATION OF THOSE PRINCIPLES FOR THIS MOMENT. AND SO, WE WILL GO THROUGH THAT, UM, TO REALLY ENGAGE YOU ALL IN THAT CONVERSATION. AND I WILL SAY AS WE GET TO THE- THE PILLAR PRINCIPLES THAT WE- WE INTRODUCED... CAN YOU PLEASE SWITCH IT FOR ME? UM, AT THE LAST MEETING, A LOT OF THESE REALLY FOCUS ON THE PRINCIPLES WITHIN THE USE OF RESOURCES CATEGORY. SO, WE ARE GONNA GO ONE BY ONE THROUGH THESE AND REALLY WE HOPE YOU ALL WILL WANT TO ENCOURAGE DISCUSSION ABOUT THESE PRINCIPLES AND WHAT THEY MEAN TO YOU AS A BOARD. SO, WITH THAT, I'M GONNA MOVE TO THE NEXT ONE. THE FIRST PRINCIPLE, AND THIS IS REALLY AROUND OUR MANDATES. AND WE DEAL WITH MANDATES FROM A LOCAL, STATE, [04:25:02] AND FEDERAL LEVEL. SO, WE HAVE A LOT OF DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS OF MANDATES. THIS PARTICULAR PRINCIPLE WE WANNA FOCUS ON, YES, OUR LEGALLY REQUIRED SERVICES BUT WE ALSO WANNA TALK ABOUT WHERE THERE ARE REVENUE GENERATING, UM, COMPONENTS OF THOSE CIV- OF, OF THOSE PROGRAMS AND HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT AS WE NAVIGATE LEVEL OF SERVICE CHOICES WITHIN THOSE MANDATES. BECAUSE FREQUENTLY, THAT IS WHERE WE HAVE- WE HAVE CHOICES. UM, SUPERVISOR KOENIG SPOKE A BIT TO ONE OF THE PRINCIPLES IN THIS SPACE AROUND NOT NECESSARILY BACKFILLING STATE OR FEDERAL MANDATES UNLESS IT'S OF LOCAL IMPORTANCE. SO, THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANNA START SPEAKING TO. UM, AND THAT WE ALSO JUST RECOGNIZE THAT THOSE REVENUE GENERATING SERVICES, THOSE SERVICES THAT THERE IS STATE OR FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR, WE WANNA MAKE SURE WE PRESERVE AND OPTIMIZE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO, AGAIN, SAVE THOSE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS, THOSE LOCAL DISCRETIONARY GENERAL FUND DOLLARS FOR HIGHEST AND BEST USE. SO,I'M GONNA PAUSE AND- AND- AND CHAIR, YOU CAN, OF COURSE, IF YOU WANNA OPEN THIS AT THE END, OR IF PEOPLE WANNA SORT OF SPEAK TO THESE PRINCIPLES ONE BY ONE. - IT MAY BE HELPFUL. HOW MANY, ARE YOU GONNA GO THROUGH EACH PRINCIPLE? - YEAH. AND THERE'S ONLY THREE MORE TO GO. - IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL TO SEE THE WHOLE PRESENTATION AND THEN GO BACK. - ALL RIGHT. SO THEN FOR OUR NEXT ONE, WE'RE GONNA TALK ABOUT... - IT DOESN'T LIKE ME. IT LIKES JULIET. THIS NEXT PRINCIPLE IS REALLY WHERE OUR- THE EMBEDDED PRINCIPLES AROUND THE SAFETY NET AND THE PRIORITIZATION OF THE SAFETY NET COMES TO THE FOREFRONT. AND IT'S REALLY AROUND THE REALITY THAT, OF COURSE, COUNTY DEPARTMENTS HAVE A LARGE ROLE IN PROVIDING THOSE BASIC SAFETY NET SERVICES, BUT WE DO THAT SO MUCH OF THE TIME IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE CONTRACT WITH TO REALLY ADDRESS THE- THE BASIC NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND THIS PRINCIPLE AS IT'S- IT'S, UM, INTERPRETED TODAY IS THAT IDEA OF UNDERSTANDING AS WE HAVE TO MAKE REDUCTIONS HOW DO WE BALANCE REDUCTIONS IN COUNTY PROGRAMS, AND COUNTY STAFF WITH REDUCTIONS IN COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE THAT ARE ALSO ADDRESSING THE SAFETY NET. AND ALTHOUGH I KNOW THIS IS AN OBVIOUS STATEMENT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THAT BASIC SAFETY NET, WE REALLY ARE FOCUSING ON HEALTH, HEALTHCARE, FOOD, AND HOUSING, UM, AS SOME OF THE MOST BASIC, YOU KNOW, GO BACK TO YOUR MASLOW HIERARCHY OF NEEDS. UM, REALLY MOST BASIC FUNDAMENTAL THINGS THAT ALL, ALL HUMAN BEINGS NEED. SO THAT'S THE SECOND PRINCIPLE THAT- AND, AND THAT BALANCE OF HOW TO- PRESERVING THAT INFRASTRUCTURE, UM, OVER TIME. AND I AM GONNA PASS IT OVER TO NICOLE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEXT TWO. - THANKS, ELISA. SO, UM, THE NEXT PRINCIPLE HAS TO DO WITH SHIFTING, FINDING WAYS TO SHIFT WORKLOAD AND COSTS. SO, WHAT ARE THOSE STRATEGIES? AND THIS IS WITH THE INTENT TO REALLY REDUCE WHAT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ARE DEPENDENT ON THE GENERAL FUND. THIS COULD LOOK LIKE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. SO, IT COULD LOOK LIKE US FINDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM GRANTS OR FEES, UM, OR OTHER SORTS OF AGREEMENTS WHERE THERE MIGHT BE SOME COST RECOVERY. IT COULD ALSO LOOK LIKE IDENTIFYING TOOLS OR WAYS OF DOING BUSINESS MORE EFFICIENTLY TO ACHIEVE THAT GREATER COST EFFECTIVENESS. UM, WE THINK THIS IS REALLY RELEVANT GIVEN WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, WITH HR1. UM, WE REALLY HAVE TO FIND NEW PATHWAYS TO DO SOME OF OUR WORK AND GET SOME OF THE FUNDING. OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE ADVOCATING REALLY HARD AT THE STATE LEVEL TO SHOW THE STATE WHAT THEIR OBLIGATIONS ARE IN TERMS OF FUNDING OUR SAFETY NET SERVICES AND WHAT THEY REALLY HAVE A ROLE IN COMING UP WITH A STRUCTURAL SOLUTION FOR FUNDING THOSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROGRAMS THAT WERE REALIGNED TO COUNTIES. BUT IT ALSO PROVIDES AN INCENTIVE FOR DEPARTMENTS TO BE ENTREPRENEURIAL, UM, TO LOOK FOR NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS OF PROVIDING SERVICES. UM, WE'RE ALREADY TALKING WITH HSD AND HSA ABOUT HOW HOUSING FOR HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CAN MAKE BETTER USE OF FUNDING THAT THEY'RE RECEIVING, [04:30:04] AND POTENTIALLY SHIFT FUNDING TO MAXIMIZE WHAT THE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS ARE GOING TOWARDS. SO, THAT'S JUST ONE EXAMPLES. UM, AND THEN, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE SOME OF, SOME OF THE THINGS IN THIS AREA WHETHER THEY'RE FEE STUDIES OR APPLICATIONS MIGHT HAVE GREATER LEAD TIMES WHERE WE MIGHT NOT SEE, UM, THE BENEFIT IMMEDIATELY, BUT THEY MIGHT HAVE A MORE MEDIUM OR LONG-TERM BENEFIT. ALL IN ALL, THAT WORK NEEDS TO START NOW TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE NEED TO GO AND NOT IN THE FUTURE. SO WE'RE STARTING THAT WORK TODAY. SO FOR THE LAST AND FOURTH PRINCIPLE, IT HAS TO DO WITH BUILDING OUR FISCAL CAPACITY AND RESILIENCE. UM, WE KNOW THAT REDUCTIONS ALONE ARE NOT GONNA SOLVE OUR STRUCTURAL GAP, WHICH IS BUILDING UP TO $67 MILLION IN THE OUT YEARS. IN THIS CURRENT UPCOMING BUDGET YEAR, LIKE ELISA MENTIONED, IT'S ABOUT $23 MILLION NOT ACCOUNTING FOR HR-1. UM, WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO PAIR BOTH EXPENSE MANAGEMENT WITH DELIBERATE REVENUE STRATEGIES AND YOU KNOW, LOOKING AT THAT LONG-TERM HORIZON ABOUT HOW WE FIX THIS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM. BUILDING THAT CAPACITY IN TERMS OF REVENUE STRATEGIES, UM, IT CAN BE EVERYTHING FROM WHAT SUPERVISOR KOENIG HAS BROUGHT UP PREVIOUSLY, PROPERTY AND SALES TAX REFORM. WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY AN, YOU KNOW, AN EMERGENCY SALES TAX, LIKE WE'RE PURSUING THAT LEGISLATION AT SB 1078 WITH, UM, SENATOR LAIRD. UM, WE WANT THAT TOOL. WE DON'T KNOW IF WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO ACCESS THAT TOOL, GIVEN WHAT THE STATE MIGHT DO, BUT AT LEAST THAT'S A TOOL THAT MIGHT BE AVAILABLE TO US. UM, IT COULD ALSO LOOK LIKE THE... PURSUING AN INCREASE IN OUR PARKS PARCEL TAX TO RAISE MORE FUNDS FOR THE PARKS DEPARTMENT. THAT WOULD MAKE THEM LESS RELIANT ON THE GENERAL FUND. UM, WE'RE ALSO IN CONVERSATION WITH OUR CDI DIRECTOR ABOUT VARIOUS ROADS MEASURES AND FUNDING THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO PURSUE TO SPECIFICALLY FUND ROADS, UM, WHICH WOULD THEN PLACE LESS PRESSURE ON THE GENERAL FUND. UM, IN ADDITION, I, I THINK IT GETS OFTENTIMES LOST BUT STRENGTHENING OUR LOCAL ECONOMY, UM, REALLY, UM, LOOKING AT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WHAT THAT MEANS AND HOW WE CAN PURSUE THAT HERE IN OUR UNINCORPORATED AREAS THAT IS, UM, SOMETHING THAT I AM PRIORITIZING WITH STAFF THAT I KNOW THE BOARD IS ALSO SUPPORTIVE OF. SO HOW DO WE EXPAND THE BASE AND BUILD ON WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE? AND GROW WHETHER IT'S OUR EXISTING SALES TAX REVENUES AND PROPERTY TAXES TO BRING IN SOMETHING MORE TO THE COUNTY. THESE ARE THINGS WHEN I- COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS PRINCIPLES AND EXAMPLES WE GAVE, THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GONNA TAKE SOME TIME TO DEVELOP AND HAVE MATURE. SO THEY'RE NOT GONNA BE IMMEDIATE, BUT THEY COULD BE SOMETHING THAT TWO TO THREE YEARS FROM NOW WILL HELP US WITH OUR- THE STRUCTURE OF OUR BUDGET AND WHAT WE BRING. UM, THIS PRINCIPLE ALSO SUPPORTS THE CASE FOR POTENTIALLY DECLARING A FISCAL EMERGENCY, WHICH WE'RE EVALUATING CURRENTLY IN COORDINATION WITH COUNTY COUNCIL. UM, WE'RE LOOKING AT WHAT IT MEANS TO DO THAT AND WHETHER IT MAKES SENSE TO DO THAT. UM, SO WITH THAT, UM, IF YOU COULD FORWARD TO THE NEXT SLIDE, ELISA. UM, WE JUST WANNA REMIND YOU, WE ALREADY ARE PURSUING A NUMBER OF SHORT TERM, MEDIUM TERM, AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR ADDRESSING THE STRUCTURAL IMBALANCE IN OUR MULTI-YEAR DEFICITS. UM, SHORT TERM, WE HAVE THAT FREEZE THAT'S BEEN IMPLEMENTED. WE'RE ALREADY LOOKING AT DIFFERENT REDUCTIONS, UM, CONSOLIDATION SHIFTS WITHIN THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. UM, IT COULD LOOK LIKE DEFERRING CAPITAL INVESTMENTS IN THE SHORT TERM. I'VE DESCRIBED TO YOU SOME OF THE MORE MEDIUM TERM THROUGH ADVOCACY EFFORTS RELATED TO HR-1 THROUGH ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURINGS, REVENUE ENHANCEMENTS. SO THERE'S A LOT HERE. UM, AND IT JUST IS A WAY TO KIND OF GET YOU THINKING AS WE START THIS DISCUSSION TODAY. SO, LAST, IF YOU COULD GO TO THE LAST SLIDE. OH, SECOND TO LAST SLIDE. UM, SO WHAT'S MISSING HERE? UM, IF THERE ARE PRIORITIES THAT THE BOARD HAS, IF THERE ARE TRADE-OFFS THAT YOU WANT US TO CONSIDER OR QUESTIONS THAT YOU WANNA POSE TO US, YOU KNOW, WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER THEM TODAY. AND TODAY'S ASK REALLY IS TO AFFIRM THE PRINCIPLES WE'VE PRESENTED TO YOU TO HELP US IN DEVELOPING THE BUDGET. SO IF YOU COULD GO TO THE LAST SLIDE, ELISA OR JULIET. THERE YOU GO. UM, WE, UM, YOU KNOW, ANY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE THAT WOULD HELP DIVIDE IT, [04:35:02] HELP DIRECT US IN DEVELOPING THE BUDGET WOULD BE HELPFUL. UM, IF YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN ON SPECIFIC THINGS RELATED TO BOARD DIRECTED PRIORITIES THAT ARE IMPORTANT THAT YOU WANT US TO REALLY KEEP IN MIND AS WE'RE DEVELOPING THAT BUDGET, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD WANNA HEAR ABOUT THAT THIS AFTERNOON. UM, AND, YOU KNOW, ANY OTHER GUIDANCE AS TO WHETHER IT'S IMMEDIATE OR LONG-TERM STRATEGIES THAT WE ALREADY HAVEN'T BROUGHT FORWARD TO YOU, UM, WE'RE HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, UM, AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. SO WITH THAT, UM, YOU KNOW, WE-WE'VE NAVIGATED THIS BEFORE, LIKE I SAID, AT THE LAST BUDGET HEARING, WE'VE BEEN THROUGH A GREAT RECESSION, THE HOUSING BUBBLE, COVID. UM, SO WE'VE EXPERIENCED HAVING TO RIGHT SIZE A BUDGET AND UM, WE KNOW WE CAN DO THIS. IT'S JUST GONNA TAKE SOME, SOME TIME FOR SOME OF THOSE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS, BUT WE HAVE SOME GREAT IDEAS. - THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND I APPRECIATE, UNDERSTANDING WHAT IT IS YOU'RE HOPING TO GET FROM THE BOARD TODAY. AND GIVEN THAT, I THINK IT'LL BE A BIT OF A DIALOGUE, I'M HOPING THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR FROM ALL- EACH ONE OF US FIVE, ON KIND OF WHAT THE PRIORITIES ARE, OUR PRIORITIES ARE. UM, I THINK I WOULD PREFER TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT NOW, HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, AND THEN COME BACK TO THE BOARD FOR A FULL DISCUSSION AND ACTION. SO WITH THAT, IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE ROOM WHO'D LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS TOPIC? WELCOME. - HELLO, MY NAME IS JULIA MAKUM. I'M A COUNTY RESIDENT, ROOTED IN AND DEDICATED TO THE PLACE OF MY COMMUNITY HERE. UM, AND I'M NOT OFTEN ABLE TO COME TO BOARD MEETING. REALLY GLAD I COULD COME TODAY. UM, AND I'M ALWAYS SO IMPRESSED AND INSPIRED BY THANK YOU. UM, I SUPPORT THE BUDGET PRINCIPLES THAT THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE HAS PUT OUT, AND I WANT TO EMPHASIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO PROTECT THE BASIC SERVICES THAT COMPRISE THE SAFETY NET IN OUR COMMUNITY. THESE BASIC SERVICES, FOOD, HOUSING, AND HEALTHCARE, WE CALL THESE THE SAFETY NET BECAUSE THESE ARE THE THINGS THAT KEEP US SAFE. AND AS WE LOOK AT HOW THE BUDGET NEEDS TO RESPOND TO CHANGING CONDITIONS, WE NEED TO BREAK OUT OF THE STATUS QUO OF ALLOCATING MORE THAN 20% OF THE GENERAL FUND TO THE SHERIFF, PROBATION, AND THE DA IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC SAFETY. IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT STRUCTURAL BUDGET ISSUES, THIS DISCUSSION NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE STRUCTURAL ISSUE OF DUMPING OVER A FIFTH OF OUR RESOURCES INTO JAILING AND SURVEILLING PEOPLE. WHEN OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE HUNGRY, UNSURE WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO SLEEP TONIGHT, AND DEFERRING MEDICAL, DENTAL, AND MENTAL HEALTH CARE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD IT. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU. ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE? SEEING NONE, DO WE HAVE ANYONE ON THE PHONE? - YES, CHAIR. CRYSTAL, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HI, EVERYBODY. UM, MY NAME IS CRYSTAL GONZALEZ. I AM THE SEMILLITAS DIRECTOR AT VENTURES. AS YOU KNOW, SEMILLITAS IS THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNT PROGRAM FOR EVERY NEWBORN IN OUR COUNTY. BUT SEMILLITAS IS ABOUT MUCH MORE THAN ACCOUNTS, AND IT'S MUCH MORE THAN THE DOLLARS WE ARE INVESTING TOGETHER. IT'S ABOUT THE MESSAGE WE SEND TO OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES THAT WE BELIEVE IN THEM, THAT THEY DESERVE ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION, AND THEY DESERVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES FOR WEALTH BUILDING FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF LIFE. I UNDERSTAND THESE ARE DIFFICULT TIMES. BUDGETS ARE BEING CUT AT THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS, AND I AGREE THAT BASIC NEEDS PROGRAMS MUST BE PROTECTED. BUT WHEN FUNDING DECISIONS ARE MADE IN TIMES LIKE THESE, IT IS TOO OFTEN OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHO ARE ASKED TO CARRY THE BURDEN ONCE AGAIN. SEMILLITAS EXIST PRECISELY BECAUSE TOO MANY FAMILIES HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM SYSTEMS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR GENERATIONS. THIS PROGRAM IS A COMMUNITY INVESTMENT IN PREVENTION, IN HOPE, AND IN LONG-TERM ECONOMIC MOBILITY. IT, IT REFLECTS THE KIND OF COUNTY WE WANT TO BE, ONE THAT NOT ONLY RESPONDS TO CRISIS, BUT ALSO INVESTS IN THE FUTURE OF OUR CHILDREN. I KNOW CORE FUNDING HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AS POTENTIALLY BEING REDUCED FROM THE AGREED THREE-YEAR COMMITMENT TO JUST ONE YEAR. BEFORE MAKING THESE DECISIONS, I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER WHAT IS AT STAKE. REDUCING SUPPORT CREATES UNCERTAINTY FOR PROGRAMS [04:40:03] LIKE SEMILLITAS THAT RELY ON STABLE INFRASTRUCTURE, TRUSTED PARTNERSHIPS, AND LONG-TERM PLANNING TO SERVE FAMILIES WELL. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU TO CHOOSE BETWEEN BASIC NEEDS AND CHILDREN'S FUTURES, WE'RE ASKING YOU TO RECOGNIZE THAT FAMILIES NEED BOTH. THEY NEED SUPPORT TODAY, AND THEY NEED SYSTEMS THAT CREATE OPPORTUNITY TOMORROW. SEMILLITAS REFLECTS A SHARED COUNTY COMMITMENT TO OPPORTUNITY AND TO INVESTING EARLY IN THE FUTURES OF OUR- OUR CHILDREN. I URGE YOU TO CONTINUE SUPPORTING THIS WORK SO WE CAN CONTINUE BUILDING LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITY FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES ACROSS SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. THANK YOU. - KRISTYN, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - HI, MY NAME IS KRISTYN GLENN. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF DIENTES COMMUNITY DENTAL CARE. SANTA CRUZ COUNTY'S LARGEST DENTAL PROVIDER SERVING ABOUT 18,000 PATIENTS ANNUALLY. 97% OF WHOM LIVE AT OR BELOW THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL. WE RECOGNIZE YOU'RE FACING AN EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT BUDGET YEAR, AND WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WEIGHT OF THE DECISIONS BEFORE YOU. WE KNOW THESE ARE NOT EASY CHOICES, AND WE RESPECT THE CARE YOU'RE BRINGING TO THE PROCESS. AT DIENTES, WE'RE FACING OUR OWN DIFFICULT MOMENT, MEDI-CAL CUTS AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL. MEANING, THOUSANDS OF OUR PATIENTS WILL LOSE COVERAGE. AND UNFORTUNATELY, WITHOUT LOSS REVENUE, WE'RE FACING SOME HARD DECISIONS TOO. THAT'S EXACTLY WHY YOUR SUPPORT THROUGH CORE FUNDING IS MORE CRITICAL NOW THAN EVER BEFORE. UM, AS THE NUMBER OF UNINSURED PATIENTS RISES, YOUR INVESTMENT IS ALLOWED- IS WHAT ALLOWS US TO SERVE THOSE WHO NEED US. DENTAL CARE IS ESSENTIAL HEALTHCARE, HAVING A HEALTHY MOUTH THAT ENABLES YOU TO EAT IS A BASIC NEED. UNTREATED INFECTIONS END UP IN THE ER AND THE DOWNSTREAM COST OF CUTTING COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES ARE REAL. DIENTES IS A CRITICAL PART OF THE HEALTHCARE SAFETY NET, AND WE URGE YOU TO PROTECT FUNDING FOR CRITICAL HEALTH SERVICES LIKE DIENTES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOUR LEADERSHIP, AND FOR HEARING US TODAY. THANKS. - THANK YOU. - YESENIA, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. - GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS YESENIA GOMEZ-CARRILLO. I'M THE TRIPLE P PROGRAM MANAGER WITH FIRST 5 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY. FIRST 5 SANTA CRUZ COUNTY HAS BEEN HONORED TO PARTNER WITH SEMILLITAS TO OFFER THE TRIPLE P, POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM WORKSHOP SERIES TO FAMILIES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH THESE WORKSHOPS, PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS COME TOGETHER TO SHARE EXPERIENCES, STRENGTHEN THEIR PARENTING SKILLS, AND BUILD ON THE MANY STRENGTHS THEY ALREADY BRING TO THEIR FAMILIES. SEMILLITAS PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN RECOGNIZING AND CELEBRATING THAT COMMITMENT BY PROVIDING MILESTONE DEPOSITS DIRECTLY INTO THEIR COLLEGE SAVINGS ACCOUNTS WHEN FAMILIES PARTICIPATE. WHAT MAKES THIS COLLABORATION ESPECIALLY POWERFUL IS A DEEP TRUST THAT SEMILLITAS HAS BUILT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THEIR RELATIONSHIPS AND OUTREACH HELP CREATE WELCOMING SPACES WHERE FAMILIES FEEL VALUED, RESPECTED, AND SUPPORTED. BECAUSE OF THIS PARTNERSHIP, WE'VE SEEN STRONG ENGAGEMENT, MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS, AND FAMILIES LEAVING EMPOWERED WITH TOOLS AND CONFIDENCE THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON AT HOME. IT'S A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW SEMILLITAS DOES PARTNERSHIP, UPLIFTS FAMILIES, AND INVESTS IN A STRONG FUTURE FOR OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. - LORRAINE, YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOW AVAILABLE. LORRAINE, IF YOU'RE ON A CALL-IN DEVICE, IT'S *6 TO MUTE OR UNMUTE YOURSELF. - HELLO? CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? - YES, WE CAN. - THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'LL START AGAIN. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS LORRAINE IGLESIAS. I'M READING A STATEMENT FROM SIGEL LYNN ORTEGA, WHO IS UNABLE TO READ IT. "MY NAME IS SIGEL LYNN ORTEGA. I LIVE IN APTOS AND WORK LOCALLY IN HEALTH EQUITY. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR VENTURES, CRYSTAL GONZALEZ, AND THE SEMILLITAS TEAM, AND THE ADVOCACY TO SUSTAIN THIS PROGRAM. I RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE LATINO ROLE MODELS CONFERENCE AT CABRILLO COLLEGE, WHERE MANY YOUNG PEOPLE SPOKE ABOUT WHAT HELPS THEM IMAGINE A COLLEGE FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES. PROGRAMS LIKE SEMILLITAS ARE PART OF THAT ECOSYSTEM. FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE, THESE KINDS OF EFFORTS ARE UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS [04:45:04] THAT SHAPE LONG-TERM OUTCOMES IN EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING. MOMENTS LIKE THESE ARE AN OPPORTUNITY TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE MUST SUSTAIN THE KINDS OF COMMUNITY ROOTED PROGRAMS THAT HELP YOUNG PEOPLE SEE A FUTURE FOR THEMSELVES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, UH, COUNTY SUPERVISORS, FOR YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER." - CHAIR, WE HAVE NO FURTHER SPEAKERS ONLINE. - THANK YOU. I WILL NOW BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR, UM, DISCUSSION. AND I'LL START ON MY LEFT WITH SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. - THANK YOU, UH, FOR THE PRESENTATION. UM, OH, IT'S SO DISHEARTENING TO HEAR ABOUT THE $67 MILLION STRUCTURAL DEFICIT. AND UM, AND I THINK, UM, PROBABLY FOR MOST OF THE PUBLIC AND MOST BOARD MEMBERS, UM, TRYING TO PRIORITIZE ONE SERVICE OR ANOTHER IS REALLY, REALLY HARD. BECAUSE FOR MOST OF US, THEY'RE ALL VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. BUT, UM, IF YOU'RE ASKING, UH, ME TO VOICE SOME PRIORITY, I JUST, AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT I'VE ALREADY SAID TO YOU SO THIS SHOULD COME AS NO SURPRISE. UM, BUT, UH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SO THAT THIS COUNTY CAN START EARNING SOME EXTRA MONEY IN SALES TAX AND RESTAURANT RECEIPTS AND EVERYTHING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. AND I THINK IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE, UM, NOT REALLY EMBARKED ON IN A NUMBER OF YEARS. SO IF THERE'S ANY WAY THAT WE COULD REALLY FOCUS ON SOME, UM, IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN OUR UNINCORPORATED AREAS, UM, QUICKER DEVELOPMENT WITH LESS BARRIERS, FRANKLY. I MEAN, WE, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE THE STREAMLINE SANTA CRUZ, THERE'S STILL SO MANY BARRIERS TO GETTING THINGS DEVELOPED AND GETTING THAT PROPERTY TAX, UM, YOU KNOW, PAID IN QUICKLY. IF WE COULD, UM, REDUCE SOME OF THOSE BARRIERS, I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL TO AN AVERAGE PERSON, LET ALONE SOME OF THE BIGGER DEVELOPMENTS THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT. UM, CERTAINLY AGAIN, LESS LITIGATION SO THAT OUR COUNTY ISN'T PAYING OUT A LOT OF MONEY IN ATTORNEYS, UM, IS- IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR ME. UM, WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE COULD COME TO THE TABLE AND HAMMER OUT, UM, AGREEMENTS WITH PEOPLE WHERE EVEN IF WE'RE, EVEN IF WE HAVE TO COMPROMISE TO- IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY, I DO JUST THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT, UM, TO NOT HAVE TO PAY JUST THESE UNBELIEVABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES. UM, IN TERMS OF SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, AND, UM, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, I MEAN, WE'RE, I THINK WE'RE VERY LUCKY THAT WE HAVE PARTNERS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE SO INNOVATIVE. THEY CAN PULL DOWN ENORMOUS GRANTS FOR THOSE SERVICES. AND I WOULD JUST REALLY ENCOURAGE US TO CONTINUE THAT. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS I DID WHEN I, UM, WHEN WE HIRED A NEW SUPERINTENDENT IN PAJARO IS WE SAID, WE PRIORITIZED GRANT WRITER, YOU KNOW, A DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR WHO BROUGHT DOWN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN, UH, IN HER TENURE THERE, ANDREA WILLIE. UM, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE- I'M STILL UNCLEAR ABOUT WHO DOES THAT WORK. I THINK IT'S ANALYSTS, BUT I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE LIKE A DEDICATED TEAM ACROSS THE COUNTY TO DO THAT. BUT CERTAINLY, UM, IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO AUGMENT, UM, THE SERVICES THAT WE RELY ON AND THAT WE NEED. UM, AND THEN THERE'S THE MANDATED SERVICES, LIKE APS, IHSS, UH, CHILD WELFARE. UM, YOU KNOW, I WILL SAY THAT IHSS IS DIFFICULT RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE CAN'T FIND CAREGIVERS IN THE COMMUNITY TO TAKE CARE OF PEOPLE THAT CANNOT LIVE ALONE WITHOUT A CAREGIVER. WE'VE GOT AN AGING POPULATION HERE AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO THEM. UM, SO I'D LIKE TO SEE, UM, MORE OF, UH, FOCUS ON SERVING OUR AGING POPULATION AS WELL. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S ENOUGH OF MY PRIORITIES. OH, ONE LAST BIG ONE. PUBLIC SAFETY IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR ME. IT'S NOT JUST FOR ME. I'M REALLY VOICING- THE VO- YOU KNOW, VOICING ON BEHALF OF MY CONSTITUENCY. UM, THEY DON'T WANNA HAVE TO WAIT LONGER FOR A- FOR A DEPUTY TO RESPOND, IF SO- IF THERE'S A PROBLEM OR AN ISSUE OR A FIRETRUCK THAT NEEDS TO GO OUT. SO, PUBLIC SAFETY, UM, IS REALLY IMPORTANT, UH, TO ME. THE, UM, PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR SURE. - THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR DE SERPA. SUPERVISOR KOENIG. - THANK YOU, CHAIR. UH, WELL, I, I CAN'T SAY WE DIDN'T SEE THIS COMING. [04:50:04] UM, YOU KNOW, THE, MOST OF THE, THE SHORTAGE THAT THE BUDGET DEFICIT THAT WE'RE SEEING NOW IS DRIVEN BASICALLY BY INFLATION, AND THEY NEED TO PAY OUR EMPLOYEES MORE SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BE RESIDENTS IN THIS COMMUNITY. UM, EVEN AS WE HAVE GONE, I MEAN, LOOK AT ITEM 22 TODAY, THE DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER REP UNIT, WE APPROVED A 4% COST OF LIVING INCREASE EFFECTIVE MARCH 14TH. AND WE, WE- WE HAVE TO DO THAT. WE- WE'VE DONE IT FOR A NUMBER OF OTHER BARGAINING UNITS BECAUSE, UH, WE JUST- WE NEED TO STAY COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER COUNTIES AND OTHER CITIES, UH, AND, AND BE ABLE TO MAIN- UM, KEEP THESE EMPLOYEES. BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE KNOWN FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, AND PARTICULARLY SINCE WE HAD TO, UH, ENTERED INTO THIS ROUND OF BARGAINING AND CONTRACTS, THAT THIS WAS GONNA BE PROBLEMATIC AND MEASURE K ALLOWED US TO PUSH IT OFF FOR A COUPLE YEARS, BUT... BUT HERE WE ARE. IT DIDN'T ALLOW US TO OUTRUN IT. SO THE UNFORTUNATE REALITIES IF STAFF IS MORE EXPENSIVE, WE JUST WON'T BE ABLE TO AFFORD AS MANY STAFF. IT'S SAD BUT TRUE. UM, THIS IS, THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE GREAT RECESSION, THE HOUSING BUBBLE, AND COVID, WHICH WERE CLEARLY TEMPORARY SITUATIONS. BUT A LOT OF THE DRIVERS OF INCREASED COSTS, HIGHER INSURANCE COSTS, HIGHER MEDICAL COSTS, THESE ARE THINGS THAT, UH, SHOW NO SIGN OF SLOWING DOWN. MAYBE IT'LL SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT THEY'RE NOT GONNA STOP. UM, AND SO I DON'T SEE THAT WE CAN WEATHER THIS DOWNTURN BY SIMPLY STOPPING CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. I MEAN, I THINK THAT WOULD ACTUALLY BE A MISTAKE, OR WE'VE DONE SO FOR MANY YEARS. UH, WE'VE- WE'VE TAKEN THAT APPROACH. AND THE REALITY IS THAT NOW OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IS IN TERRIBLE SHAPE AND IS A HUGE LIABILITY FOR US. UM, SO I MEAN, IN FACT, IT'S ONE OF OUR BUDGET PRINCIPLES IS THAT LONG-TERM STRUCTURAL BUDGET ISSUES REQUIRE PERMANENT RESTRUCTURING OF SERVICES AND OPERATIONS WHICH MAY BE FACING OVER AN APPROPRIATE INTERVAL OF TIME AND BASED ON THE MAGNITUDE OF THE IMBALANCE. UM, SO WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PERSONNEL ISSUE ALONE, UH, SORT OF IN ITS- IN ITS OWN REGION. UM, AND THEN ALSO LOOK AT HOW WE'RE GONNA APPROACH THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. UM, I MEAN, I. WHERE YOU- WHERE YOU- WHERE YOU STAND DEPENDS, OR WHAT, HOW YOU STAND DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU SIT. UM, AND MY POSITION IS BASICALLY AS MAYOR OF THE LARGEST PART OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA, I MEAN, A THIRD OF THE UNINCORPORATED POPULATION LIVES IN FIRST DISTRICT. AND SO FOR ME, IT'S- IT IS ROADS AND PARKS, THE SERVICES THAT THE MAJORITY OF MY CONSTITUENTS USE EVERY DAY. UM, THERE'S JUST, SO-SO HEARING LIKE IDEAS BEFORE, LIKE, OH, WE'RE JUST GONNA PUT A NEW TAX ON FOR PARKS OR A NEW TAX ON FOR ROADS, IT'S SORT OF LIKE, EXCUSE ME? THOSE ARE THE PRIMARY SERVICES THAT MOST OF MY CONSTITUENTS EXPECT THEY'RE PAYING FOR WITH THEIR PROPERTY TAXES, NOT REDISTRIBUTION TO A SOCIAL SAFETY NET. THAT'S REALLY WHAT INCOME TAXES ARE FOR BECAUSE WE'RE ABLE TO TAX THE WEALTHIEST AND REDISTRIBUTE THAT TO THOSE WHO ARE IN MOST NEED. BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT OUR CORE BUSINESS MODEL HERE, WHICH IS PROPERTY TAXES. AND IF WE'RE GONNA SUPPORT, WE HAVE TO SUPPORT PROPERTY VALUES WITH, UH, THE MUNICIPAL SERVICES. THAT'S WHAT, UH, THAT'S WHAT CITIES DO. AND THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO AS EFFECTIVELY THE LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTY. UM, AND IF WE- IF WE DON'T, IF WE JUST CONTINUE TO DEFER MAINTENANCE, IT'S GONNA BE, I MEAN, IT'S GONNA BECOME A HUGE ISSUE. UM, YOU, I THINK SUPERVISOR MARTINEZ KNOW THIS TO SOME EXTENT 'CAUSE YOU'RE SORT OF DEALING WITH, UH, THE LEFTOVER REMNANTS OF THE MOUNTAIN CHARLIE ISSUE. BUT AS SOON AS A ROAD GOES OUT, IT BECOMES THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FOR THIS BOARD BECAUSE THOSE FOLKS SHOW UP TO EVERY ONE OF OUR MEETINGS, UH, AND WE DON'T HEAR ABOUT- WE- WE KEEP HEARING FROM THEM UNTIL THAT ISSUE IS FIXED. AND SO, I MEAN, EVEN RIGHT NOW, UH, WE'RE LOOKING AT MOUNT BOCCE IN- IN MY DISTRICT UP IN, UH, UP IN THE MOUNTAINS, WHICH I'VE HEARD ABOUT EVER SINCE TAKING OFFICE, BUT WE'VE NEVER HAD THE MONEY TO FIX, AND NOW IT'S SLIDING OFF THE HILLSIDE. UM, IF WE DON'T TAKE A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO THESE ISSUES THEN THEY'RE JUST GOING TO BECOME INCREASINGLY EXPENSIVE FOR US. I MEAN, THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE NATIONAL DEBT PROBLEM BUT FOR US IS OUR DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. UM, SO I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF ANY STRATEGY THAT DEFERS CAPITAL, UH, EXPENDITURES BECAUSE WE NEED TO ACTUALLY INCREASE THOSE IF WE'RE NOT, IF WE'RE GOING TO STAVE OFF MUCH GREATER LIABILITIES IN THE FUTURE FROM OUR COLLAPSING INFRASTRUCTURE. UM, I MEAN, THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME. [04:55:04] I ALSO DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF THE PARKS DEPARTMENT AGAIN. UM, I THINK THAT WAS, YOU KNOW, TRAGIC OUTCOME OF THE- TRYING TO BALANCE THE TWO, THE BUDGET BACK IN 2008. UH, WE'VE DONE A LOT TO REBUILD IT AND IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN THOSE SERVICES. UM, A COUPLE SMALL THINGS. I MEAN, I THINK OUR, OUR BUDGET, UM, SORT OF POLICY DOCUMENT, TALKS ABOUT LIMITING CONSULTANTS. UH, I THINK THAT WE SHOULD, THAT IT SAYS THE COUNTY SHALL LIMIT THE USE OF CONSULTANTS WHERE POSSIBLE AND TRAIN COUNTY STAFF TO PERFORM THOSE TASKS. I THINK WE SHOULD DO THAT FOR ANY SITUATION WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT SPENDING TEN TO HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON CONSULTANTS. UM, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE HIGHLY CAPABLE, HIGHLY TRAINED COUNTY STAFF TO DO, IS THOSE KINDS OF PROJECTS. I KNOW IT'S A CONSTANT REFRAIN, UH, I HEAR IS LIKE, WHY ARE YOU GUYS DOING ANOTHER STUDY? WHY ARE YOU HIRING CONSULTANTS AGAIN? UM, AND I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND LIKE THAT WE'RE, EVERYONE'S BUSY WITH THEIR- THEIR DAY JOB, BUT THE... THE SITUATION HAS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGED WITH THE AVAILABILITY OF AI TO HELP DO THAT KIND OF WORK. AND WE SHOULD BE ENGAGING CONSULTANTS TO CHECK OUR WORK, UH, THE WORK OF COUNTY STAFF WORKING, UH, WITH AI TO PUT TOGETHER THOSE KINDS OF REPORTS AND STUDIES AND PLANS. UM, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE TURNING TO CONSULTANTS FIRST. BECAUSE I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF I WAS A CONSULTANT I WOULD BE GLEEFULLY CHARGING GOVERNMENTS HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO DO WORK THAT I COULD DO OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK OR TWO, UH, WITH THE HELP OF AI, AND, UM, MAYBE A, A LITTLE BIT OF- OF- OF EFFORT. UM, I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO MAINTAIN BOARD DISCRETIONARY FUNDS. UM, I'M SURE THAT'LL BE RECOMMENDED FOR THE CHOPPING BLOCK AND I JUST COULDN'T SUPPORT THAT. UM, THOSE FUNDS ARE RELATIVELY SMALL PART OF OUR OVERALL BUDGET AND YET, UH, ALLOW, I KNOW IN MY OWN CASE, MAY HAVE FUND SOME OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITY PROJECTS, UH, IN THE DISTRICT AND REALLY SOME OF THE MOST VISIBLE PROJECTS. SO I'LL END MY COMMENTS THERE. THANKS. - THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. - YOU KNOW, YOU NEVER THINK YOU'RE GONNA SAY THAT YOUR PRIORITY IS TO TRY TO REMAIN STATUS QUO. BUT, YOU KNOW, I THINK WHERE WE'RE AT RIGHT NOW, THERE MIGHT BE A TIME WHERE WE MIGHT HAVE TO DECLARE FOR SOME TYPE OF FISCAL EMERGENCY. BUT I THINK THAT WE DO REALLY, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. I THINK, UH, WHEN WE'RE DOING THE HIRING PROCESS, IS REALLY TO GO OUT TO THE HALLS OF DC, GO OUT TO THE HALLS OF SACRAMENTO AND ENGAGE OUR LEGISLATORS IN PROVIDING SOME SORT OF FUNDS FOR, YOU KNOW, UH, THE IMPACTS OF HR-1. UM, AND OF COURSE, THE MONEY THAT'S STILL OWED TO US TO, UH, THROUGH FE- FEMA AS WELL. I KNOW IT MAKES IT DIFFICULT IN THE TIME OF WHEN BUDGET CONSTRAINTS AND WE'RE SAYING THERE'S GONNA BE NO TRAVEL, BUT I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPERATIVE THAT WE GO OUT TO SACRAMENTO AND TO DC TO TRY TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY KIND OF, UH, FUNDING WE CAN GET FROM, UM, OUR LOCAL LEGISLATORS. UH, IN TERMS OF PRIORITIES, I THINK THE BASICS, RIGHT? PUBLIC SAFETY. AND I STILL BELIEVE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP UP OUR ROADS, UH, AND CONTINUE THE WORK WE DO WITH PARKS. UH, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES IS OUR WORKFORCE, MAKING SURE WE MAINTAIN, UH, HEALTHY WORKFORCE, ESPECIALLY IN THE HS. UM, I THINK THEY'RE REALLY THE FRONTLINE TO THE SAFETY NET. SO, WE HAVE TO CONTINUE, UH, MAKING SURE THAT WE KEEP OUR WORKFORCE HAPPY. UH, THAT'S, THAT'S ABOUT IT I'D SAY. - THANK YOU. SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - THANK YOU, CHAIR. UH, THANK YOU, STAFF, FOR THE PRESENTATION, AND, UM, JUST, YOU KNOW, WANNA THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR BEING PATIENT WITH US AND HOPEFULLY PATIENT WITH US AS WE MOVE THROUGH, UM, WHAT'S GONNA BE A REALLY CHALLENGING BUDGET. UM, I LIKE THE PRIORITIES AND THE WAY THAT THEY'VE BEEN LAID OUT. UM, I DO WANT TO JUST MAKE A COUPLE, UM, POINTS AROUND, UM, SOME THINGS THAT I THINK ARE REALLY CRITICAL, UH, FOR US TO BE FOCUSING ON, YOU KNOW, HOUSING AND HOMELESSNESS. UM, I THINK IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING THAT WHEN PEOPLE ARE UNHOUSED, WE END UP SPENDING MORE MONEY ON TRYING TO GET PEOPLE OFF THE STREETS THAN WE COULD WITH JUST KEEPING THEM HOUSED. UM, WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE THAT OUR COUNTY HAS FUNDED TENANT LEGAL SERVICES NOW FOR, UH, THIS WILL BE THE FOURTH YEAR. AND BASED ON, UM, SOME ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FOLKS [05:00:01] WHO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE, THEY TELL US THAT THEY NEED MORE, AND THEN IT'S NOT ENOUGH. AND I THINK THAT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT KEEPING PEOPLE HOUSED, MAINTAINING TENANT LEGAL PROTECTIONS, I THINK IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. ALONG WITH A LOT OF THE, UM, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S RENTAL ASSISTANCE OR DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE, THESE THINGS THAT CAN ACTUALLY GET PEOPLE INTO HOUSING, AND HOPEFULLY, KEEP PEOPLE IN HOUSING IS GONNA BE REALLY CRITICAL. 'CAUSE WHEN THEY'RE UNHOUSED, WE KNOW THAT IT'S A BIGGER EXPENSE ON OUR, UM, ON OUR GENERAL FUND. UM, I AGREE WITH MANY OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY, AND I KNOW WHILE SOME FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY SEE THE PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGET AS BEING THIS REALLY LARGE BUDGET, UM, THERE ARE, YOU KNOW, MANDATES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW WE PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND THE EXPECTATION THAT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, UH, HAVE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND RESPONSE TIMES. AND THE CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT, YOU KNOW, IF WE END UP FREEZING VACANCIES, UM, WHAT CAN END UP HAPPENING IS THAT IF PEOPLE ARE ON MANDATORY OVERTIME, WE'RE STILL SPENDING THE MONEY. IT'S JUST WE'RE MAKING PEOPLE WORK LONGER HOURS, HARDER HOURS. THAT MEANS THAT THEY'RE GONNA BE MORE TIRED, WHICH IS, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE WORKING AND THEY'RE TIRED, THERE'S MORE LIKELY TO, UM, MAKE MISTAKES OR TO GET INJURED. AND THEN IF PEOPLE ARE ON, UM, YOU KNOW, MEDICAL LEAVE, THEN THAT'S AN, LIKE AN EXTRA COST AND A VACANCY. SO, I THINK THAT IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN WE THINK ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, WE TRY TO BALANCE HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MOST EFFICIENT WITH THOSE DOLLARS AND THOSE POSITIONS IN PUBLIC SAFETY. UM, AND NOT JUST PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHERE, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, SOCIAL WORKERS AND CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, YOU KNOW, MAKING SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MANDATED TO PROVIDE A SERVICE, THAT WE'RE NOT PUSHING THEM TO A POINT WHERE THEY'RE GONNA FEEL LIKE THEY'RE BURNT OUT, OVERWORKED, AND WANT TO POTENTIALLY EVEN JUST LEAVE THE COUNTY, UM, BECAUSE THEY'RE JUST UNABLE TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND. UM, I REALLY THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR BARGAINING UNITS AND OUR STAFF. I MEAN, I THINK OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS, UM, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET, AND THEY'RE THE ONES WHO ARE DOING THE WORK ON THE GROUND WHO CAN PROVIDE US WITH THE MOST INPUT ON WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE TO MAKE US, YOU KNOW, MORE EFFICIENT AND SAVE MONEY. SO, I REALLY HOPE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR BARGAINING UNITS, WE'RE WORKING WITH OUR FRONTLINE WORKERS TO COME UP WITH INNOVATIVE IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN, YOU KNOW, CREATE, UM, OPPORTUNITIES FOR EFFICIENCIES. UM, IN TERMS OF BOARD FUNDING, UM, YOU KNOW, WE, IN TERMS OF OUR DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, WE HAVE VERY LITTLE DISCRETIONARY FUNDS, UM, THAT WE HAVE AT OUR DISPOSAL TO MEET THE NEEDS OF, UM, OUR CONSTITUENTS, ESPECIALLY WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP AND THERE'S A DEMAND FOR THAT NEED TO BE MET, UM, IMMEDIATELY, OR THERE'S A PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN. MY DISTRICT, FOR EXAMPLE, SHARK FIN COVE, WE HAVE, WE HAVE PROJECTS THAT ARE ALREADY INITIATED THERE AND WITH CEMENT PLANT ROAD. AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE US TAKE AWAY FUNDING THAT HAS BEEN USEFUL AT HELPING THOSE PROJECTS MOVE FORWARD AND THEN HAVING THOSE PROJECTS STALL, THEN WE'D HAVE TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY'RE GONNA ASK, WHAT'S GOING ON? WHY AREN'T WE DOING ANYTHING? AND I THINK WE NEED TO MAINTAIN THE LITTLE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE, UM, FROM MEASURE Q AND MEASURE K SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS OF CONSTITUENTS. THAT BEING SAID, THIS BOARD DID UNANIMOUSLY VOTE, UH, TO NOTIFY CORE RECIPIENTS THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE FUNDING MOVING INTO THE NEXT YEAR. AND I THINK THAT IF THE FUNDING FOR CORE WERE TO BE, UM, CONSIDERED FOR HELPING TO BACKFILL OR HELPING TO ONE TIME FILL CERTAIN NEEDS THAT, UM, THE BOARD WOULD ALLOW THE SUBCOMMITTEE, UM, TO WORK WITH STAFF ON WHAT PROGRAMS MAY NEED TO BE CUT. AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD, WE HAVE DIRECTION FROM THE BOARD TO START LOOKING AT BASIC NEEDS, WE ARE GONNA BE COMING BACK WITH THAT PROPOSAL. AND I THINK THAT THAT IS ONE OF THE AREAS WHERE THERE ARE PROGRAMS THAT ARE VERY NICE TO HAVE, LIKE AFTERSCHOOL DANCE PROGRAMS. THOSE ARE GREAT PROGRAMS THAT I THINK ARE REALLY NICE FOR KIDS TO HAVE. BUT DO WE WANT TO- BUT THE TRADE OFF IS, DO WE FUND DANCE PROGRAMS, AND NOT FUND FOOD PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS? YOU KNOW, DO WE FUND DANCE PROGRAMS AND NOT FUND DIENTES WHERE WE'RE IMPROVING THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF PEOPLE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY? AND SO, YOU KNOW, UM, I THINK THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY, IF THAT'S A DIRECTION THAT WE WANNA PURSUE, THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED AND BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS SHOULD WE WANT TO REALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS. IT'S NOT A GUARANTEE THAT WE'RE GONNA DO THAT. AND EVEN IF WE WERE TO, IT'S NOT, YOU KNOW, IT MAY BE THAT, UM, THERE'S, YOU KNOW, SIX MONTHS INTO NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET CYCLE, WHAT HAVE YOU, THERE'S OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO, UH, DETERMINE WHAT IT MIGHT BE IF WE'RE GONNA USE THAT AS A, A POCKET OF BOARD FUNDING. BUT IF THAT'S THE CASE, I WOULD JUST ASK THAT THE BOARD ALLOW THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO WORK WITH STAFF TO BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE BOARD COULD THEN TAKE ACTION ON. UM, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, MOVING FORWARD, THAT, UM, WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK WITH CSAC AND NACO TO ADVOCATE AND TO SHARE WITH NOT JUST THOSE GROUPS, BUT ALSO WITH OUR FEDERAL REPRESENTATIVES, UM, WHERE WE'RE BEING IMPACTED AND HOW WE'RE BEING IMPACTED WITH THE HOPES THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH SOME OF THEIR COLLEAGUES [05:05:01] ACROSS THE ISLE TO, UM, YOU KNOW, ADVOCATE FOR SAVING SOME OF THE PROGRAMS WE'VE SEEN. THERE'S BEEN A FEW OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THAT'S HAPPENED. I THINK FEMA, THERE WAS A LOT OF BIPARTISAN REPORT, UM, SUPPORT IN DC TO HELP SUPPORT YOU KNOW, PEOPLE GETTING REIMBURSED FROM FEMA. SO, CONTINUING THAT ADVOCACY I THINK IS GONNA REALLY HELP BENEFIT US AS WE'RE TRYING TO FIND SOURCES OF FUNDING OR PREVENT FUNDING FROM BEING CUT. UM, AND THEN IN TERMS OF REVENUE GENERATING OPPORTUNITIES, I AGREE WITH, UM, SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN STATED AROUND THAT. I MEAN, MY OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING WITH STAFF AND THE OTHER CITIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY ON HOW WE CAN PREPARE FOR THE WORLD CUP WITH THE HOPES THAT WE CAN ATTRACT SOME PEOPLE OVER, WHICH POTENTIALLY COULD HELP IN- INCREASE, UM, SALES TAX REVENUES. UM, BUT, AND I KNOW SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE MIGHT NOT LIKE, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO COME OVER FROM OTHER PLACES AS TOURISTS, BUT TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO ADVERTISE SANTA CRUZ, AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME TO SANTA CRUZ TO SPEND MONEY, UM, I THINK WILL POTENTIALLY HELP US, UM, ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES. I KNOW BEING ON VISIT SANTA CRUZ, UH, IT WAS INDICATED THAT LAST YEAR WITH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, WE DID SEE A DECLINE IN VISITATION. AND A LOT OF IT IS PEOPLE WHO ARE MAYBE LATINO OR UNDOCUMENTED NOT WANTING TO LEAVE THEIR COMMUNITIES, AND NOT WANTING TO TRAVEL. INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, FOR EXAMPLE, FROM CANADA WAS ALMOST TO ZERO. SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE THINK ABOUT WHY WE ARE SAYING- ARE SEEING REDUCTIONS IN OUR SALES TAX REVENUE, IN PART, IT'S BECAUSE OF THE ADMINISTRATION THAT, UM, TOOK OFFICE AND HAS MADE COMING TO THE UNITED STATES OR EVEN LIKE TRAVELING, JUST, YOU KNOW, SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO. SO, I THINK AS WE'RE THINKING ABOUT THE SOLUTIONS, LET'S NOT FORGET THAT SANTA CRUZ WAS, WE WERE DOING WELL BEFORE THIS ADMINISTRATION, AND WHAT WE'VE DONE IN THE PAST HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AT ATTRACTING PEOPLE AND AT RAISING OUR REVENUES. BUT, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE'RE IN, UM, WE JUST FIND OURSELVES IN A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE. AND THEN FINALLY, UM, I JUST HOPE THAT THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO THINK ABOUT, UM, WHAT THESE POTENTIAL FUNDING REDUCTIONS MAY MEAN. UM, WITH JUST KEEPING IN MIND THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES TO GO OUT TO THE VOTERS FOR A SALES TAX INITIATIVE. UM, THERE MAY BE OPPORTUNITIES, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S SOME FUNDING THAT MAY HAVE COME THROUGH WITH AI AND TECH COMPANIES THAT THE STATE IS SITTING ON, TRYING TO TAP INTO THAT AND ADVOCATING FOR THOSE FUNDS. UM, AND ALSO THE FACT THAT, IN NOVEMBER, WE'RE GONNA HAVE AN ELECTION AND JUST BASED ON THE TREND, MY HOPE IS THAT WE CONTINUE MOVING THE DIRECTION OF FLIPPING THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE AND THEN THINKING ABOUT WHAT THAT MAY MEAN FOR OUR REVENUES. AND SO, I THINK THAT WHILE PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED OUT THERE, UH, ABOUT THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE GONNA BE MAKING THESE, WE'RE GONNA BE MAKING SOME DIFFICULT DECISIONS IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE, UM, MY HOPE IS THAT IT'S- IT'S A- IT'S A ONE-OFF OR MAYBE A TWO-YEAR OFF, AND THAT MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE OURSELVES WHOLE IN THE NOT SO DISTANT FUTURE. AND SO, I JUST WANNA RECOGNIZE ALL THE HARD WORK AND THE DIFFICULT DECISIONS WE'RE GONNA NEED TO MAKE. BUT, UM, I'LL END MY COMMENTS THERE. THANK YOU. - THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. UM, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND FOR JUST REALLY GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE EARLY IN THE BUDGETING CYCLE. I THINK IT'S A REALLY STRONG REFLECTION OF YOUR, UM, PROACTIVE WORK TO ENGAGE US AND, UM, YOU KNOW, LISTENING TO WHAT PRIORITIES ARE COMING FROM THE FIVE OF US. I WANNA START OFF WITH JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. UM, THE FIRST GOES BACK TO THE CONCEPT OF REVENUE GENERATING PROGRAMS. I UNDERSTAND THE SIMPLE ONES LIKE BILLABLE SERVICES AND BILL, YOU KNOW, THAT TYPE OF REIMBURSEMENT, THAT KIND OF WORKER WHO DOES THAT TYPE OF WORK. WHAT ABOUT LIKE THE WORK OF STREAMLINE SANTA CRUZ THAT IS REDUCING REDUNDANCY, AND HOPEFULLY MOVING PROJECTS FORWARD FASTER? WOULD YOU PUT THAT IN THE CATEGORY OF REVENUE GENERATING? - WHEN WE THINK ABOUT THOSE KINDS OF EFFECTS, IT'S REALLY AROUND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF, ONE, THE JOBS THAT ARE- ARE CREATED THROUGH DEVELOPMENT, THROUGH THE INCREASED, UH, ASSESSED VALUES THAT ARE CREATED THROUGH DEVELOPMENT. SO, TO THE EXTENT THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO FIND EFFICIENCIES AND NOT BE A HINDRANCE TO APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENT, THAT'S WHERE WE, WE SEE THE SORT OF LONGER TERM EFFECTS. NOW, RECOGNIZE ALSO THERE IS A- A QUITE A BIT OF COST RECOVERY THAT GOES ON IN, IN OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT IN TERMS OF FOLKS PAY FOR SERVICES THERE. UM, AND WE'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO BALANCE THAT AS MAKING OUR COSTS NOT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S NOT THE MAJOR PIECE THAT DRIVES THE COST OF DEVELOPMENT. IT'S REALLY TIME. AND I'M SURE THAT MATT AND STEPHANIE COULD TALK MORE TO THAT. [05:10:02] SO, IT'S ALWAYS A BALANCING ACT IN TERMS OF REVENUE GENERATION TOWARDS FEES, AND WE WANT PEOPLE TO COME FOR PERMITS AND GET THEM IN A TIME, A REASONABLE TIMEFRAME, BUT WE ABSOLUTELY DON'T WANT THEM TO AVOID COMING IN AND MAKING SURE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT IS APPROPRIATE AND SAFE. - MM-HMM. OKAY. SO, IT'S KIND OF. [LAUGHS] UM, I SAY THAT BECAUSE I DO, AS WE THINK ABOUT PRIORITIES AND I UNDERSTAND REVENUE GENERATION IS ON THE PRIORITY LIST, I- STREAMLINE SANTA CRUZ, TO ME, I THINK ALSO STAYS ON THE PRIORITY LIST BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING YOU JUST STATED. UM, MY OTHER QUESTION IS MORE ABOUT WHAT WE MIGHT BE EXPECTING IN THE MAY BUDGET THAT WE SEE... YOU KNOW, IN LAST YEAR, WE SAW, FOR EXAMPLE, HSA HAVING PROPOSED CUTS AND LAYOFFS, UM, IN A COUPLE OF THEIR PUBLIC, UH, SAFETY NET CLINIC PROGRAMS. UM, ARE WE EXPECTING TO SEE THE HS HAVE THE BRUNT OF PROPOSALS OR DO WE EXPECT THAT TYPE OF SORT OF TRIMMING NON-ESSENTIAL PROGRAMS ACROSS ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS? LIKE WHAT DO YOU THINK WE'RE ANTICIPATING? - I'M- I'M GONNA TOSS THAT ONE OVER THERE. - SO, UNFORTUNATELY, THE HS ARE FACING SOMETHING REALLY DRAMATIC BETWEEN OUR COST INCREASES ON THE COUNTY SIDE AND THE HR1 IMPACTS ON THE FEDERAL SIDE. AND SO, THAT'S WHERE THE ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL TO TRY TO GET THEM TO, UH, CONTRIBUTE SOMETHING TO COUNTIES TO CONTINUE OUR SAFETY NET SERVICES IS REALLY IMPORTANT. UM, THEY- THEY ARE REALLY HAVING TO MAKE SOME HARD DECISIONS AS TO HOW TO BALANCE THE BUDGET, AND SO, UM, WE COULD VERY WELL SEE GREATER IMPACTS ON THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SIDE OF THE COUNTY, JUST IN DEALING WITH ALL THAT. UM, I WILL NOTE THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S GONNA DO IN THE MAY REVISE YET. UM, HE IS LEAVING OFFICE THIS YEAR OR IN NEXT JANUARY. AND SO LAST YEAR, YOU KNOW, HE WAS IN A SIMILAR POSITION AND HE DIDN'T REALLY GIVE ANYTHING TO COUNTIES. BUT THIS YEAR, WE'RE- CSAC IS BEING VERY AGGRESSIVE IN ITS ADVOCACY AND, UM, IS COORDINATING WITH ALL OF OUR AFFILIATE ASSOCIATIONS TO MAKE A STRONG ASK OF THE STATE. SO, WE'RE HOPING WE SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT COMING EITHER OUT OF THEY MAY REVISE OR MORE LIKELY OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO WILL THEN, UM, NEGOTIATE WITH THE GOVERNOR. SO, UM, IT'LL BE- WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE, BUT WE'RE GONNA DO OUR VERY BEST TO PUT FORWARD A BUDGET THAT REFLECTS YOUR PRIORITIES THAT YOU VOICED HERE IN THE BEST WAY THAT WE CAN. - THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT. UM, RELATED TO MY REFLECTIONS ON WHAT WAS PRESENTED, I WANNA START WITH SAYING THAT I GENERALLY SUPPORT THE FOUNDATIONAL PRINCIPLES THAT YOU'RE PROPOSING. I THINK THEY MAKE A LOT OF SENSE. I THINK THAT IT'S WISE, UM, AND SO I WOULD SUPPORT YOU PROCEEDING WITH THOSE GENERAL PRINCIPLES. UM, I PARTICULARLY LIKE THAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT SHARING THE IMPACT, UH, BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, WHETHER IT'S OUR COUNTY WORKFORCE AND ALSO OUR COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND JUST TRYING TO ENSURE THAT NO PARTICULAR AREAS HITTING, TAKING THE BRUNT. LIKE I UNDERSTAND BASED ON EVERYTHING YOU SAID, THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS THAT JUST, FRANKLY, ARE GOING TO HAVE THE GREATEST HITS AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL. UM, BUT JUST ENSURING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE- WE ARE ALL DEPENDENT ON EACH OTHER. IT'S VERY INTERCONNECTED, AND SO TRYING TO, UM, SHARE THE PAIN, I DON'T KNOW, BALANCE OUT, I THINK IS SOMETHING THAT WE'RE- THAT I- I WOULD SUPPORT. AS IT RELATES TO A FOCUS ON BASIC NEEDS, I MEAN, I DO BELIEVE THAT SAFETY NET SERVICES IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OUR JOB, UM, AT THE COUNTY. AND SO, WHILE WE ALSO SERVE AS A MUNICIPAL SERVICE DELIVERY ORGANIZATION FOR A LOT OF OUR RESIDENTS, UM, WE ARE MANDATED BY THE STATE TO PROVIDE A VARIETY OF- OF CORE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. UM, AND AS IT RELATES TO BASIC NEEDS, I APPRECIATE SORT OF JUST LAYING IT OUT, FOOD, HEALTHCARE AND HOUSING. AS IT RELATES TO HEALTHCARE, THOUGH, I WOULD ENSURE THAT IT'S THE GREATER DEFINITION OF HEALTHCARE THAT INCLUDES ORAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH. UM, SOMETIMES THEY GET LEFT OUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT JUST LIKE PRIMARY CARE ONLY, OR EMERGENCY ROOM ACCESS ONLY. UM, BUT ALL OF THAT IS HEALTH IN, UM, IN- IN OUR WORLD. [05:15:01] SO THAT'S WHAT I, I HOPE THAT THAT'S, UH, ENCOMPASSED IN, UM, IN OUR DEFINITION OF BASIC NEEDS. AND I DO THINK THAT, I KNOW YOU'LL DO THIS, BUT YOU'LL BRING US A PROPOSAL THAT'S GROUNDED IN OUR VALUES AND, UM, YOU KNOW, OUR- OUR EQUITY VALUES, OUR HEALTH IN ALL POLICIES APPROACH, REALLY LOOKING AT THE DOWNSTREAM IMPACT OF THE DECISIONS THAT WE'RE MAKING AND ENSURING THAT, WE'RE NOT UNINTENTIONALLY CREATING GREATER HEALTH DISPARITIES BASED ON THE TOUGH CHOICES THAT WE NEED TO MAKE. UM, AS IT RELATES TO REVENUE GENERATION, I THINK THAT WHAT I'M HEARING IN, AND WHAT I, I, I HOPE I CAN ASK FROM MY COLLEAGUES IS THAT REALLY IT'S TIME FOR US TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES. UM, EACH OF US NEEDS TO EXERCISE OUR POLITICAL CAPITAL AT THE STATE AND AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL, UM, WITH OUR ASSOCIATIONS TO BRING AS MUCH SUPPORT AND RELIEF TO OUR COUNTY AS POSSIBLE. WHETHER THAT'S, YOU KNOW, TACKLING SALES TAX AND PROPERTY TAX OR, YOU KNOW, THE HOSPITAL, THE DISTRESSED HOSPITAL APPROACHES OR, YOU KNOW, WITH CSAC, UM, OR NACO. I THINK WE ALL NEED TO BE OUT THERE TELLING THE STORY OF THE IMPACTS, AND TRYING TO ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF OUR RESIDENTS. I ALSO THINK THAT AS IT RELATES TO CUTS OR REDUCTIONS IN SERVICES, WE EACH NEED TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO SEE WHERE WE CAN FIND THE ALIGNMENT. RIGHT? WE KNOW WHEN THERE'S A, A REDUCTION, A LOSS, IT CREATES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INNOVATION AND EACH OF US HAS POLITICAL CAPITAL WITH OUR PROVIDERS OR WITH OUR PARTNERS, UM, WHO CARE ABOUT THE SAME THINGS WE CARE ABOUT, AND SETTING THE TABLE TO SEE WHERE PEOPLE CAN PARTNER, COLLABORATE, MERGE. I MEAN, THAT'S, THAT IS A ROLE OF A LEADER IN A COMMUNITY. AND SO, I'M, I'M HOPING THAT WE CAN EACH DO THAT IN ORDER TO HELP OUR SAFETY NET REMAIN WHOLE AS MUCH AS WE CAN. UM, AND FINALLY, AS IT RELATES TO THE COMMENTS ON CORE. UM, I THINK WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY IS THAT YOU, YOU WERE ASKING THAT THE SUBCOMMITTEE ACTUALLY LOOK AT PROGRAMS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON PROGRAMS. UM, WHAT I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF TODAY WOULD BE ASKING THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO ADVISE ON PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES. PERHAPS THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN EVEN DO TODAY. UM, SO WE SEND THE STAFF WHAT OUR SORT OF CORE PRIORITIES ARE, UM, AND HAVE THEM DO THE, THE BUDGETING AND THE LINE ITEM WORK AS IT RELATES TO PROGRAMS, AS OPPOSED TO ASKING A SUBSET OF US TO LOOK AT PROGRAMS. UM, FOR ME AS, AS A BOARD MEMBER, WE ARE POLICY MAKERS. AND SO, I WOULD, I WOULD APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT, WHAT POLICIES WE WANNA HAVE AROUND CORE. UM, THAT COULD BE A, UH, PRIORITIZATION BASED ON THE BASIC NEED FACTORS. IT COULD BE A ACROSS THE BOARD REDUCTION BY A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE. IT COULD BE A REDUCTION OF TIME PERIOD BASED ON A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD. BUT THAT, I THINK THAT'S OUR JOB, UM, AS OPPOSED TO TAKING THE LIST OF PROVIDERS AND COMING UP WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON WHO GETS FUNDED AND WHO DOESN'T. SO, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. I'LL NOW CALL ON SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - YEP. THANKS FOR THAT INPUT. UM, SO AS IT RELATES TO, UM, WELL, I JUST, JUST WANNA MAKE ONE MORE COMMENT FOR STAFF 'CAUSE I DIDN'T HEAR THIS COME UP, BUT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT IT A LOT TODAY. IS THAT, I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE FIND SOMEWHERE IN THE BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT. UM, YOU KNOW, WE HAD AN ENTIRE CONVERSATION ABOUT THAT AS IT RELATES TO SHIELD THIS MORNING. UM, I KNOW THAT WE HAD ALLOCATED A HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS LAST YEAR FROM OUR CONTINGENCIES, I BELIEVE, AND ALSO TO THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS. AND IT'S WORTH US TRYING TO REASSESS HOW THAT FUNDING WAS USED, AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROVIDING MORE FUNDING. BECAUSE IF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS, THROUGH HR1, INVESTING MORE INTO ICE AND BORDER SECURITY, THERE'S A HIGHER LIKELIHOOD THAT WE MAY START SEEING MORE ACTIVITY HERE. AND I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE BUDGET FOR THAT, JUST IN CASE IT SHOULD HAPPEN. UM, AS IT RELATES TO CORE, I THINK THAT WHAT WE'RE REALLY DISCUSSING AND WE CAN BRING IT TO THE BOARD. I MEAN, WE DON'T HAVE TO MAKE THIS DECISION ON TODAY AT ALL 'CAUSE SUPERVISOR DE SERPA AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE THE, YOU KNOW, AS WE COME BACK WITH ANOTHER PROCESS FOR CORE, WHAT DO WE FEEL BASED ON THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE, UM, ARE THE BASIC NEEDS AND WHAT ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT REALLY WE WOULD WANNA BE FUNDING [05:20:02] AND THEN THAT WOULD COME TO THE BOARD FOR THEIR, UM, RECOMMENDATIONS. I THINK WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO SAY WITH THIS IS THAT IF WE'RE WORKING, IF WE'RE PUTTING IN ALL THIS WORK ON THAT WITH STAFF ALREADY THEN, AND, AND STAFF MAKES THE RECOMMENDATION THAT WE SHOULD USE FUNDING FROM CORE, WHICH WE HAVE NOT ACTUALLY SAID WE WOULD DO, IF WE'RE ALREADY WORKING ON TRYING TO CHANGE THOSE VALUES, WOULD IT MAKE SENSE FOR US TO WORK IN TANDEM WITH THE STAFF ON- IF WE'RE GONNA MAKE REDUCTIONS, THEN ARE THE REDUCTIONS GONNA BE ALIGNED WITH, UM, THE, THE SUBCOMMITTEE? AND IF, UM, AND WHAT THE TIMING WOULD BE? AND THEN THAT WOULD BE A DISCUSSION FOR US TO HAVE. UM, BUT WHAT MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE IS THAT WE CONTINUE DOING OUR WORK AND WE BRING BACK AN ITEM THAT'S ON CORE, AND THEN WE CAN MAKE A DECISION ON THAT. RATHER THAN TRYING TO DEBATE CORE TODAY, WHICH IS ACTUALLY NOT REALLY ON OUR AGENDA. IT'S- BUT I WAS JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE FOR THOUGHT SINCE THE BOARD TOOK ACTION AT THE LAST MEETING. AND IN TERMS OF US BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND AS THE BUDGET PROCESS IS MOVING ALONG, GETTING THAT DIRECTION WILL BE HELPFUL FOR US TO JUST START DOING THAT WORK RATHER THAN, YOU KNOW, US BRINGING BACK SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, MAYBE IT'S THE FIRST MEETING IN APRIL, THE SECOND MEETING IN APRIL. THEN AFTER THAT, IF WE GOT DIRECTION TO WORK WITH STAFF, WE'D HAVE TO DO THAT THROUGH MAY. AND, YOU KNOW, IT WOULD BE A COMPRESSED TIMELINE VERSUS BEING ABLE TO START DOING SOME OF THE WORK NOW. AND, YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK WHEN SUPERVISOR KOENIG SAID, WE NEED TO LET YOU KNOW, THESE GROUPS KNOW SOONER THAN LATER. I MEAN, THIS IS SIMILAR TO THAT DIRECTION. IT'S A, OKAY IF WE'RE GONNA- IF THAT'S GONNA BE AN AREA WHERE WE'RE GONNA MAKE CUTS, THEN WE JUST START WORKING ON THAT SOONER THAN LATER. AND SINCE WE HAVE A SUBCOMMITTEE, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO AT LEAST BE ABLE TO START LOOKING AT THIS WITH STAFF, AND GIVEN THE SENTIMENT OF THE BOARD TO SEE, YOU KNOW, IS THIS- ARE THERE CERTAIN PROGRAMS THAT ARE GONNA, YOU KNOW, THAT WE WOULD WANNA CUT, UM, AND WHAT'S THE TIMELINE FOR THAT? AND HOW DOES THAT FIT IN TERMS OF HOW IT FILLS THE GAPS? I MEAN, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND GIVEN THAT THIS HAS BEEN A MOVING TARGET, IT'S JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE'RE GONNA GO DOWN THIS ROUTE BASED ON THE DIRECTION LAST WEEK, THEN WE SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT, AS A SUBCOMMITTEE, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE WE GONNA DO HERE? SO, YOU KNOW, IT'S REALLY TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT WITH OUR TIME AND GIVEN THE COMPRESSED TIMELINE OF THE STAFF WITH BUDGETING. BUT I MEAN, IF THAT'S, IF THAT'S THE CASE, I'M HAPPY TO JUST MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTION AND WE CAN BRING AN ITEM BACK, YOU KNOW, NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. - CEO COBURN LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE SOMETHING. - YEAH. SO, I'M CURIOUS, UM, SO FOR OUR TIMING IN DEVELOPING THE BUDGET, WE ARE WORKING WITH DEPARTMENTS RIGHT NOW IN MARCH TO ACTIVELY COME UP WITH SOME SORT OF PROPOSAL THAT WE WOULD FINALIZE. AND BECAUSE OF PRODUCTION OF THE BUDGET, UM, WE INTEND TO RELEASE IT TO THE WORLD BY THE END OF APRIL, BEGINNING OF MAY. SO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S POSSIBLE FOR THE SUBCOMMITTEE TO COME BACK AT THE MARCH 24TH MEETING WITH A REPORT ON WHERE THEY STAND. I BELIEVE, AND SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. THE SUBCOMMITTEE STARTED OUT TALKING ABOUT THE PROCESS AND HOW THAT IMPROVED THE CORE FUNDING PROCESS AND WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. AND IT, IT'S EXPANDED A LITTLE BIT TO ALSO LOOK AT AS PART OF THAT, WHAT SHOULD CORE BE FUNDING AT, YOU KNOW, AT A HIGH LEVEL. UM, BUT GOING INTO, UH, LOOKING MORE SPECIFICALLY AT CORE CONTRACTS, THAT OBVIOUSLY MIGHT TAKE SOME TIME. UM, SO IS THE SUB-CORE SUBCOMMITTEE PREPARED TO COME BACK ON MARCH 24TH WITH SOME SORT OF REPORT THAT WOULD BE IDEAL FOR US AS STAFF, UM, IN TERMS OF GUIDING OUR DEVELOPMENT? BUT WE, AT ANY RATE, WE WILL BE COMING BACK IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET WITH OUR OWN RECOMMENDATION, WHICH THE BOARD CAN ALWAYS MODIFY, OF COURSE, ONCE YOU RECEIVE THAT BUDGET. - I MEAN, I'M FINE IF YOU, IF Y'ALL WANNA WAIT, THAT'S FINE. BUT I'M JUST SAYING, I WAS JUST TRYING TO IMPLY THAT, YOU KNOW, WE, WE'RE WORKING ON, YOU KNOW, DEVELOPING FOR THE NEXT ROUND, WHAT, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD WANT THE BOARD TO CONSIDER IN TERMS OF PRIORITIZATION. UM, BUT GIVEN LAST WEEK, THE BOARD MADE A DIRECTION, A UNANIMOUS RECOMMENDATION THAT WE NOT GUARANTEE FUNDING FOR NEXT YEAR. I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? I MEAN, ARE WE GOING TO, ARE WE GONNA FUND THE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH NEXT YEAR OR NOT? IF WE'RE NOT GONNA FUND THE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGH NEXT YEAR, WHAT'S THE PROCESS AND HOW ARE WE GONNA MAKE THOSE DECISIONS? AND I THINK THAT SINCE WE HAVE A SUBCOMMITTEE THAT'S BEEN LOOKING AT THIS VERY DEEPLY, YOU KNOW, MAYBE HAVING US WORK WITH STAFF IF, IF STAFF THINKS THAT THAT'S GONNA BE A SOURCE OF FUNDING. BECAUSE I THINK WHAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IS WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES. IF WE'RE NOT GONNA CUT BOARD FUNDING AND WE'RE GONNA FUND ALL THOSE PROGRAMS THROUGH NEXT YEAR, SO BE IT. BUT THAT MEANS STAFF'S GONNA HAVE TO COME BACK WITH ANOTHER SOURCE OF FUNDING. HOW ARE WE GONNA HAVE TO BACKFILL, UH, SOME OF THIS 23 MILLION? BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO THE BOARD FOR WHERE WE MIGHT BE WILLING TO MAKE SACRIFICES AND GIVEN THE DIRECTION THAT WAS MADE AT THE LAST MEETING, I'M JUST SUGGESTING THAT SINCE WE ALREADY HAVE A SUBCOMMITTEE, WE CAN HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT, BASED ON OUR PRIORITIES, HERE'S WHAT WE MIGHT BE COMFORTABLE WITH THESE CUTS BEING MADE. AND THEN THAT COULD COME AS A RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD. THE BOARD COULD SAY, "I DON'T WANT TO CUT THIS, I DON'T WANT TO CUT THIS, I DON'T WANT TO CUT THIS." [05:25:02] AND IT'S FINE. BUT YOU KNOW, IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STAFF TO GET SOME INPUT FROM AN ESTABLISHED SUBCOMMITTEE THAT'S DOING A LOT OF WORK ON THIS ALREADY. - I SEE SO- I SEE. - YEAH. I, I- IF, UM, TWO THINGS. UM, SO THE BOARD, UH, CREATED AN AD HOC SUBCOMMITTEE FOR A SPECIFIC REASON AND, AND IT WAS TO BE IN PLACE FOR A SPECIFIC TIME AND TO DO A SPECIFIC THING. IF, IF THE BOARD WAS INTERESTED IN EXPANDING, UH, THE DUTIES OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT. I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT YOU DO THAT ON THE NEXT AGENDA, IF YOU WANNA PUT SOMETHING ON THE- IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO PUT A LETTER ON AND, AND PUT IT DOWN IN WRITING SO THE PUBLIC CAN BE NOTIFIED ABOUT WHAT'S BEING SUGGESTED, AGENDIZE IT, AND THEN HAVE A FULLER CONVERSATION. - YEAH, AND THAT'S FINE. AND I'LL JUST SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN, WHEN THE BOARD MADE THE DECISION ON, YOU KNOW, FUNDING PROGRAMS WHEN IT DID, LIKE HR1 DIDN'T- WASN'T A THING. AND WHEN WE MADE THE SUBCOMMITTEE, HR1 WASN'T A THING. AND SO, JUST BECAUSE OF THE DYNAMICS AND HOW THINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGING, YOU KNOW, WE'RE TRYING TO BE ADAPTIVE AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN HELP THIS PROCESS OF, YOU KNOW, FINDING OUT WHERE'S THERE GONNA BE THE FUNDING TO FILL THIS GAP. AND SO, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES, THAT'S WHAT I'M OFFERING HERE. AND TO YOUR POINT, JASON, IF THE- IF WE NEED TO BRING SOMETHING BACK TO THE NEXT MEETING, YOU KNOW, THE SUBCOMMITTEE CAN DISCUSS THAT, AND WE CAN DETERMINE WHETHER THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE WANNA GO IN BASED ON THE CONVERSATION HERE TODAY. BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE FACT THAT WE NEED TO FILL THESE GAPS. YOU WANT US TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES. WE'RE OFFERING TO POTENTIALLY DO SO. BUT IF WE WANNA WAIT, THEN THAT'S FINE. - CAN I ASK A QUESTION, CHAIR? UM, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE BEEN HEARING ACROSS THE FEEDBACK IS THIS IDEA OF PRESERVING BASIC SAFETY NET SERVICES. AND THERE'S A QUESTION AS TO WHERE THE CORE FUNDING DECISIONS AND PROBABLY, QUITE FRANKLY, OTHER CONTRACT DECISIONS, UM, ALIGN WITH THAT CORE, I'M SORRY, WRONG WORD, WITH THE BASIC SAFETY NET EXPECTATIONS THAT YOU'RE SPEAKING TO. BUT IMPLICIT IN THAT IS THAT AT LEAST A PORTION OF THOSE DOLLARS SHOULD CONTINUE TO BE PLACED IN BASIC SAFETY NET SERVICES IN COMMUNITY. AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS HELPFUL FOR US TO KNOW RIGHT NOW FROM THIS BOARD, IF YOU CAN TELL US, IS, YES, WE EXPECT THAT SOME PORTION OF THAT, UH, GENERAL FUND DISCRETIONARY DOLLARS TO CONTINUE TO BE INVESTED IN THAT WAY, AND NOT USED TO FILL OTHER GAPS. THAT IS, THAT IS I THINK, A HELP IF, IF THAT IS- OR YOU CAN SAY WE'RE NOT READY TO MAKE THAT DECISION. WE WANT, YOU KNOW, NICOLE AND OUR TEAM TO, TO MAKE OUR BEST. I MEAN, WE, WE DO THIS, WE KNOW HOW TO DO THIS WORK, MAKE OUR BEST RECOMMENDATION. BUT IF THERE IS CLARITY AROUND THAT DECISION, THAT DEFINITELY, NARROWING THE CHOICES HELPS US SOLVE PROBLEMS. - THANK YOU. AND THIS IS, UM, THIS IS WHERE I THINK HEARING BACK FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE WOULD BE HELPFUL. UM, YOU KNOW, MY, MY HOPE IS THAT WE HEAR BACK FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE ABOUT, UM, POLICY GUIDANCE. YOU KNOW, LIKE, LIKE HOW MUCH OF THIS GENERAL FUND GOES TO FUTURE BAS- BASIC NEEDS SERVICES? WHAT, UM, HOW ARE WE DEFINING BASIC NEEDS SERVICES? WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF THAT DONE TODAY. UH, THAT, THAT TO ME FEELS A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE THAN TASKING THE SUBCOMMITTEE ADDITIONAL TASKS TO DECIDE WHICH NONPROFITS ARE FUNDED OR NOT FUNDED. THAT TO ME FEELS OUTSIDE OF THE SCOPE OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE. - UH, CAN I MAKE A RECOMMENDATION? I, AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS POSSIBLE, BUT IN, UH, MY FORMER GOVERNANCE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WE HAD SOMETHING THAT WAS LIKE THIS, THAT WE REALLY WANTED EVERYONE'S PARTICIPATION, BUT WE WERE PRECLUDED FROM DOING THAT BECAUSE OF BROWN ACT. WE WOULD SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING FOR THREE HOURS. LIKE, CAN WE DO THAT? THAT WAY WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS, NOT IN THE CONTEXT OF A GREATER BOARD MEETING. AND I KNOW, YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE MIGHT BE CRINGING ABOUT THAT, BE, YOU KNOW. - DOES IT SHOW THAT I'M CRINGING ABOUT THAT? - NOT, NOT YOU. - [LAUGHS] - I'M THINKING MORE OF THESE TWO. BUT, UM, BUT I, I DO THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD USE OF TIME SO THAT WE COULD REALLY DISCUSS SOME OF THE THINGS. BECAUSE LIKE, UM, UM, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS AND I HAVE REALLY, LIKE... I THINK I CAN SAY THIS OUT LOUD 'CAUSE WE'RE BROWN ACTED HERE. BUT LIKE FOOD, HEALTHCARE, AND HOUSING, LIKE WE'RE, WE'RE, WE, WE KNOW THAT TOO. WE UNDERSTAND WHAT BASIC NEEDS ARE AND WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS, [05:30:03] BUT ALSO WE'RE DEALING WITH AN UNKNOWN SITUATION. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH. IT'S GONNA BE PULLED BACK FROM OUR CORE FUNDING, AND I GUESS WE REALLY NEED TO HEAR THAT FROM OUR ADMINISTRATION, LIKE, WHAT THE PLANNING IS. I MEAN, I HAD- MANU AND I HAD $75,000 PULLED BACK FROM US. NOBODY EVER ONCE TALKED TO ME ABOUT THAT. IT WAS JUST NOT THERE ANYMORE. UM, SO I'M, YOU KNOW, I, I AM, I'M CAUTIOUS ABOUT THIS 'CAUSE I DON'T WANNA LOSE OUR CORE FUNDING. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THIS BOARD TO HAVE DISCRETIONARY FUNDING, AND I, I'M TOTALLY WILLING TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN AN OPEN WAY, BUT THERE'S AN UNKNOWN HERE, A QUESTION MARK. I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU'RE HOPING TO PULL BACK FROM US. SO, I DON'T, YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANNA TELL ME NOW OR LATER. - WE WILL TAKE THAT BACK AS FEEDBACK AND THINK ABOUT HOW THAT FITS IN WITH OUR PLAN, UH, FOR BRINGING THE BUDGET TO YOU. - THANK YOU. - AND SO, UM, SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS, UH, I HEARD, I HEARD YOU SUGGEST YOU WOULD MOVE THE, UM, RECOMMENDED ACTIONS. BASED ON THIS DIALOGUE, DOES THAT STILL FEEL LIKE THE RIGHT FIT? - YEAH, I MEAN, IT SOUNDS LIKE IF WE WANNA BRING SOMETHING BACK, WE SHOULD JUST PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA. AND SO I'M HAPPY TO, TO DO THAT. WE CAN BRING AN UPDATE AND, YOU KNOW, TO YOUR POINT, YES, WE, YOU KNOW, OUR INTENT WITH THIS WAS TO BRING BACK POLICY OPTIONS AND, YOU KNOW, RECOMMENDATIONS. BUT THE FACT THAT THE BOARD VOTED TO POTENTIALLY CEASE FUNDING, IT'S LIKE, WELL, WHAT IS THAT? WHAT DO WE WANNA DO THERE? SO, HAPPY TO BRING AN ITEM BACK. UM, BUT I'LL JUST MOVE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS, AND, YOU KNOW, INCLUDING THE FEEDBACK THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY THE BOARD TODAY. - GREAT. WE HAVE A MOTION FROM SUPERVISOR CUMMINGS. - SECOND. - SECOND FROM SUPERVISOR HERNANDEZ. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? - YEP. SUPERVISOR DE SERPA? - AYE. - KOENIG? - AYE. - HERNANDEZ? - AYE. - CUMMINGS? - AYE. - AND MARTINEZ? - AYE. MOTION PASSES, 5 TO 0. WE ARE NOW ADJOURNING THE MEETING AT 3:29. [Adjournment] UM, OUR NEXT MEETING IS MARCH 24TH AT 9:00 AM, AND THAT WILL BE LOCATED... HERE. I'LL BE LOCATED HERE IN THE BASEMENT OF 701 OCEAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYBODY. - RECORDING STOPPED. [END] * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.